Christmas Should be More Commercial

1920's Coca-Cola advertisement

Christmas in America is an exuberant display of human ingenuity, capitalist productivity, and the enjoyment of life. Yet all of these are castigated as "materialistic"; the real meaning of the holiday, we are told, is assorted Nativity tales and altruist injunctions (e.g., love thy neighbor) that no one takes seriously.

In fact, Christmas as we celebrate it today is a 19th-century American invention. The freedom and prosperity of post-Civil War America created the happiest nation in history. The result was the desire to celebrate, to revel in the goods and pleasures of life on earth. Christmas (which was not a federal holiday until 1870) became the leading American outlet for this feeling.

Historically, people have always celebrated the winter solstice as the time when the days begin to lengthen, indicating the earth's return to life. Ancient Romans feasted and reveled during the festival of Saturnalia. Early Christians condemned these Roman celebrations -- they

Gov’t Accused Of Bribery

Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham

The Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) is accusing the government is conspiring to bribe civil servants.

The Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) is accusing the government is conspiring to bribe civil servants.

In a press statement released last night, PLP officials said information has come into them that the government intends to seek favour with public servants in the form of a lump sum payment of $2,500 each and the addition of $75 to their base salary in short order.

"The prime minister must come clean," the PLP said.

"While we support all legitimate payment increases to public servants, we have to point out to them the cynical nature of what is

Gov’t Accused Of Bribery

Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham

The Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) is accusing the government is conspiring to bribe civil servants.

The Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) is accusing the government is conspiring to bribe civil servants.

In a press statement released last night, PLP officials said information has come into them that the government intends to seek favour with public servants in the form of a lump sum payment of $2,500 each and the addition of $75 to their base salary in short order.

"The prime minister must come clean," the PLP said.

"While we support all legitimate payment increases to public servants, we have to point out to them the cynical nature of what is

Christmas Should be More Commercial

1920's Coca-Cola advertisement

Christmas in America is an exuberant display of human ingenuity, capitalist productivity, and the enjoyment of life. Yet all of these are castigated as "materialistic"; the real meaning of the holiday, we are told, is assorted Nativity tales and altruist injunctions (e.g., love thy neighbor) that no one takes seriously.

In fact, Christmas as we celebrate it today is a 19th-century American invention. The freedom and prosperity of post-Civil War America created the happiest nation in history. The result was the desire to celebrate, to revel in the goods and pleasures of life on earth. Christmas (which was not a federal holiday until 1870) became the leading American outlet for this feeling.

Historically, people have always celebrated the winter solstice as the time when the days begin to lengthen, indicating the earth's return to life. Ancient Romans feasted and reveled during the festival of Saturnalia. Early Christians condemned these Roman celebrations -- they

PM: Gov’t Won’t Be Derailed

By IANTHIA SMITH

Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham

Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham said in the House of Assembly yesterday that despite criticism from every sector of society, "the government won't be derailed" in selling 51 per cent of the Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) to telecom giant Cable & Wireless Communications (CWC).

Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham said in the House of Assembly yesterday that despite criticism from every sector of society, "the government won’t be derailed" in selling 51 per cent of the Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) to telecom giant Cable & Wireless Communications (CWC).

Details of the memorandum of understanding (MOU), which the government signed with CWC, were finally made public yesterday when Prime Minister Ingraham tabled the controversial document in Parliament.

For a while now it had been a well-known fact that the sale of the company is for 51 per cent of BTC’s issued shares at a purchase price of $210 million.

It was general knowledge that CWC will be responsible for paying the stamp duties up to a maximum of $7 million payable in

Baha Mar Strikes Tax Deal

By IANTHIA SMITH

Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham (Journal File Photo)

Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham announced in the House of Assembly Monday that executives of the proposed Baha Mar mega resort have concluded all of the necessary steps to enable them to begin the actual redevelopment of, what he calls "an important and historic area in the Bahamian tourism establishment."

Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham announced in the House of Assembly Monday that executives of the proposed Baha Mar mega resort have concluded all of the necessary steps to enable them to begin the actual redevelopment of, what he calls "an important and historic area in the Bahamian tourism establishment."

It was indeed a long time coming, but after years of negotiations, political and public debates, the $2.6 billion dollar Baha Mar project

Murder Victim Burned

BY ANDREW J.W. KNOWLES

A man's charred body was found through a tract road in western New Providence, authorities have confirmed.

A man’s charred body was found through a tract road in western New Providence, authorities have confirmed.His death marks the 14th homicide for the year. According to Police Press Liaison Officer Sergeant Chrislyn Skippings, police were called to a dirt road off Gladstone Road on Saturday. When they arrived, they discovered the man’s body, which was burnt beyond recognition. Police do not have a motive for this latest murder.It is unclear if the man was killed prior to being