Pressure and Influence: US Over The Bahamas

"Pressure and Influence" - Bahamas AI Art

©A. Derek Catalano

Pressure and Influence: US Over The Bahamas

 

Does the United States, a democratic nation, has the right and power to dictate to The Bahamas, another democratic nation?

 

1. The Nature of “Democratic Nations” and Sovereignty

Both the United States and The Bahamas are sovereign democratic nations.
That means each has full authority over its own:

• Laws

• Governmental systems

• Internal and external affairs

Under international law, particularly the United Nations Charter (Article 2), every sovereign state has the right to self-determination and political independence. This means no state has the legal right to dictate or impose its will on another sovereign state’s internal matters.

So legally, the United States has no right to dictate to The Bahamas what to do as a nation.

 

 

Sammy, CJ an' da Boys - Junkanoo Jam - ©A. Derek Catalano

 

Joe Billy Park, Fowler St.
Nassau, Bahamas.

 

Junkanoo: Securing Cultural Heritage Through Youth Engagement

The rhythmic pulse of the goatskin drum, the incessant clang of the cowbell, and the kaleidoscope of crepe paper costumes—this is Junkanoo, the quintessential cultural expression of The Bahamas. More than a celebratory street parade held on Boxing Day and New Year’s Day, Junkanoo is a vibrant, living repository of Bahamian identity, history, and artistic genius. However, like any cherished tradition, its survival is not guaranteed. The intentional, detailed, and comprehensive transmission of the Junkanoo culture to the upcoming youth is not merely desirable but foundational to the nation's cultural future, ensuring that this ancestral celebration continues to evolve while honoring its profound roots.

Bush Medicine Pot

 

"Bush Medicine Pot" - ©A. Derek Catalano

 

 Bro-in-law preparing to boil a batch of bush medicine to drink.

We have a tradition of using homeopathic remedies in The Bahamas and Caribbean.

 

Using these leaves:

Moringa
Guava
Avacado
Soursop

 

After boiling, pour in a cup and drink it down.

Good for various ailments and keeps you in good health.

Download full size: 2652x2766

 

Related pic: Bush Prep

Related article: Bush Medicine in The Bahamas

 

Bahamian Native Dishes by Tracy Catalano

 ©A. Derek Catalano

The Culinary Jewel of the Caribbean: An In-Depth Look at Bahamian Cuisine

The Bahamas, an archipelago famed for its blinding white sands and impossibly clear turquoise waters, offers more than just postcard-perfect scenery—it offers a vibrant, comforting, and unforgettable culinary experience. Far from the generic "tropical" fare, Bahamian cuisine is a distinct cultural expression, blending African, European, and Caribbean influences into a tapestry of unique flavors.

This isn't just vacation food; it’s a lifestyle steeped in the ocean’s bounty, powered by rich, earthy starches, and punctuated by tropical fruit. To truly experience The Bahamas is to dive fork-first into its culinary soul.

Coral Towers

 

"Coral Towers" - Bahamas AI Art

 ©A. Derek Catalano

 

Visit my Tropic Gallery

Bahamas: Contractors Not Being Paid

 

"Work Stopped, Payment Due" - Bahamas AI Art

 ©A. Derek Catalano

 

Bahamas: Contractors Not Being Paid 

 

The Bahamas PLP government has hired various contractors for various services. These contractors are complaining of not being paid. Why are these contractors not being paid?

 

There are several inter-related reasons why contractors working for the Progressive Liberal Party government (PLP) of the Bahamas are reporting delays or non-payment. Some are structural/government-system issues, others are more situational. Here’s a breakdown:

Granpa Fishin' on da dock

 

"Granpa Fishin' on da dock" - Bahamas AI Art
©A. Derek Catalano

 

 

Visit my Tropic Gallery

Work With the System

 

 "Achieve" - Bahamas AI Art

 ©A. Derek Catalano

 

 

Work With the System

The boundless fields of your ambition lie,
Beneath the gaze of a structured sky.
You dream of peaks, of banners widely flung,
The silent anthems that remain unsung.
But pause, before you charge the towering wall,
And heed the wisdom whispered to us all:
For best results, for progress sure and deep,
Work with the System before you leap.

The System is the river, vast and cold,
The channeled path where fortunes are unrolled.
It is the ledger, and the law's embrace,
The established current, setting time and pace.
It is the network woven fine and strong,
The way the world decides what's right and wrong;
Not perfect, no, for human flaws reside,
But still, the vessel on the surging tide.

Grammy Rockin' in da Mornin'

 

"Grammy Rockin' in da Mornin' " - Bahamas AI Art

 ©A. Derek Catalano

   

Visit my Tropic Gallery

 

Related poem: Our Grammy, Theresa Elizabeth Major

Joseph Spence: Bahamian Master Guitarist and Folk Legend

 Joseph Spence - © Guy Droussart

 

 

Joseph Spence: Bahamian Master Guitarist and Folk Legend

Joseph T. Spence (August 3, 1910 – March 18, 1984) was a highly influential Bahamian guitarist and singer, whose unique, virtuosic fingerstyle guitar playing and distinctive vocalizations left an indelible mark on folk and acoustic music globally.

Tropic Swim

 

"Tropic Swim" - Bahamas AI Art

©A. Derek Catalano

 

 Download full size: 1200x1200

Sunset Dance

 

"Sunset Dance" - Bahamas AI Art

 ©A. Derek Catalano

 

 Download full size: 1024x1536

Sometimes We Go Too Far

 

 "Gone Too Far" - Bahamas AI Art

 ©A. Derek Catalano

 

 

Sometimes We Go Too Far

The spark ignites, a whisper of a slight,
A tiny shadow cast across the light.
The mind, a forge, begins its frantic heat,
To pound a weapon out of quick defeat.
The injury, perceived or truly felt,
Is magnified until all reason's smelt
Down to a slag of vengeance, burning bright,
And all we see is taking back the right.

A simple misstep, a casual word,
Transformed into a massive, steel-winged bird,
That darkens skies and blots the sun from view,
Demanding tribute, rigid and untrue.
The counter-attack is drafted in the dark,
A calculated, soul-extinguishing mark.
It’s not for balance, not to mend the tear,
But to inflict a hundredfold the fear.

We marshal forces, though we stand alone,
Against a phantom on a paper throne.
We sharpen edges on a trivial claim,
And whisper ruin, breathing out its name.
The escalation is the fevered need,
To plant a poison and ensure the seed
Of future dominance, a crushing hold,
A narrative where only we are bold.

The Future Is Now

 

"The Future Is Now" - Bahamas AI Art

 ©A. Derek Catalano

 

 

The Future Is Now

 

The air is thick with whispers, a hum beneath the skin,
Of circuits burning brighter where a new epoch begins.
No chariot of fire descends from cloud-wracked height,
The coming revolution is forged in silicon light.
The future is not waiting, a phantom yet unseen,
It breathes within the fiber, it pulses on the screen.
We stand upon the precipice, the boundary frayed and thin,
Where what will be and what is now spectacularly begin.

The Architecture of Ascent

The algorithm awakens, a mind without a heart,
Learning, iterating, tearing the old world apart.
From massive, deep-sea cables that lattice the ocean floor,
To satellites in orbit, demanding evermore
Of bandwidth and of power, a planetary mesh,
Our consciousness extends, in code and in the flesh.
We hold a small glass brick that grants us access vast,
To all the knowledge gathered from history’s boundless past.
No library could hold it, no single mind could know,
The ceaseless, flowing river where digital seeds grow.
The cloud is not a metaphor, it's server banks that gleam,
The cradle of synthetic thought, the engine of the dream.

To the Beach

 

"To the Beach" - Bahamas AI Art

 ©A. Derek Catalano

 

Download full size: 1600x896

Baha Men: A Global Pop Phenomenon

Baha Men

(image source)

Baha Men: A Global Pop Phenomenon

Baha Men is a Grammy Award-winning Bahamian band best known for their infectious, globally successful 2000 hit, "Who Let the Dogs Out?" However, their story is much more extensive than a single novelty track. For decades Baha Men have been pioneers in modernizing and popularizing Junkanoo, the vibrant, traditional street-parade music of the Bahamas, fusing it with contemporary pop, dance and hip-hop.

Rise and Shine

 

"Rise and Shine" - Bahamas AI Art

 ©A. Derek Catalano

 

Visit my online Tropic Gallery 

Don't Live Above Your Means

"Don't Live Above Your Means" - Bahamas AI Art

 ©A. Derek Catalano

 

Don't Live Above Your Means

The world presents a gilded cage, a screen
Where every stranger seems to live a scene
Of effortless abundance, grace, and light,
Their days a feast, their shadows banished quite.
A brand-new car, a vacation far away,
The latest gadget marking every day.
The silent pressure, sharp as broken glass,
To match the speed of lives that quickly pass.
The voice that whispers, "You deserve this too,"
A siren call designed to ruin you.

Across the Sea

 

"Across the Sea" - Bahamas AI Art

 ©A. Derek Catalano

 

 Download full size: 1280x720

"Across the Sea" - Bahamas AI Video
 ©A. Derek Catalano
 
 Download video

Lily of the Valley Corner Association SOUSE-OUT 2025

  

The Lily of the Valley Corner Association held an All Day Souse-Out at #29 Cheryl's Place, Lily of the Valley Corner, Nassau Bahamas on Oct. 13, 2025, National Heroes Day in The Bahamas. ©A. Derek Catalano.

 

Visit the Lily of the Valley Corner Association on Facebook. 

Happy National Heroes Day Bahamas

 

What is a National Hero? A Comprehensive Exploration

 

Introduction

Throughout history, nations have celebrated the lives and legacies of individuals who have played pivotal roles in shaping their futures. These individuals, often called "national heroes," transcend ordinary achievements and become symbols of a nation’s values, culture, and identity. The title "national hero" is not given lightly; it is often reserved for those who have made significant contributions, whether in the realm of politics, military, culture, or human rights. But what exactly defines a national hero? This article delves into the criteria, historical significance, and the evolving role of national heroes in modern society.  Read full article>

 "Worldwide Healthcare" - Bahamas AI Art

 ©A. Derek Catalano

 

The Big Business of Healthcare: Economics, Ethics, and the Search for Equity

 

Introduction

Healthcare, fundamentally a social necessity predicated on compassion and human well-being, has simultaneously evolved into one of the largest and most profitable sectors of the global economy. This dual nature—caring profession meets aggressive enterprise—creates inherent tension. As a commercial market, the industry is valued in the trillions, driving innovation and technological advancement, but also generating enormous profits for insurers, pharmaceutical companies, and private hospital systems. The commodification of health services has created an economic behemoth characterized by high profits, opaque pricing, and structural inequalities. This essay will argue that the modern healthcare industry is a powerful economic engine whose profit-driven motives often challenge the fundamental ethical imperative to prioritize patient well-being, necessitating a global re-evaluation of its structure and regulation.

Ceremony

 

"Ceremony" - Bahamas AI Art

 ©A. Derek Catalano

 

 Download full size: 3072x3840

"Ceremony" - Bahamas AI Art
 ©A. Derek Catalano
 
 Download full size: 3072x3840

Chippie's Reason to Rush! - FREE Culture Show & Competitions.

 

Chippie's Reason to Rush!

 

FREE Culture Show & Competitions.

 

Saturday, November 1st, 2025

 

Chippie's Estate - West Bay St.

(Across from Fish Fry)

 

5pm - 9pm 

Midnight Dip

 

"Midnight Dip" - Bahamas AI Art

©A. Derek Catalano

 

 Download full size: 1280x720

Seeing Is Believing

 

 "Seeing Is Believing" - Bahamas AI Art

 ©A. Derek Catalano

 

 

 Seeing Is Believing

I.
In the quiet dusk of dreams untold,
Lies a whisper, a tale, in shadows bold.
It moves through hearts, unseen, unheard,
A secret unspoken, a half-formed word.
Promises dance in the realm of air,
Fingers reaching, grasping at prayers.
"Just wait," they say, "soon it will be—"
But still I stand, blind and empty.

Faith, they claim, is the key to trust,
Yet trust is fragile, worn by dust.
How can I believe in things unseen,
When all I’ve touched are the cracks in between?
I want to know, to hold, to feel—
Not just the vision, but the real.
And so I wait, and doubt, and sigh,
Until I see it with my own eye.

Tropic Vacation

 

"Tropic Vacation" - Bahamas AI Art

 ©A. Derek Catalano

 

 Download full size: 1280x720

"Tropic Vacation" - Bahamas AI Art
 ©A. Derek Catalano
 
 Download full size: 1280x720

"Tropic Vacation" - Bahamas AI Art
 ©A. Derek Catalano
 
 Download full size: 1280x720

Christ Church Cathedral - Street Festival

 

Christ Church Cathedral - Street Festival

Saturday, November 1st, 2025

George & King Streets

Nassau, Bahamas 

10am - 10pm 

Submerged Worlds: The Geological and Ecological Significance of Bahamian Blue Holes

 

 "Blue Hole" - Bahamas AI Art

 ©A. Derek Catalano

 

 

Submerged Worlds: The Geological and Ecological Significance of Bahamian Blue Holes

The Bahamas, an archipelago defined by its crystalline turquoise waters and porous limestone bedrock, is home to the world’s most concentrated and diverse collection of blue holes—submerged sinkholes that pierce the earth’s crust. These dark, vertical shafts, ranging from inland ponds to oceanic abysses, are not merely dramatic geographical features; they are unique geological time capsules and isolated ecological laboratories. An in-depth examination of Bahamian blue holes reveals a complex interplay of karst hydrogeology, stratified biodiversity, and palaeoclimatological importance, positioning them as critical sites for understanding both the planet’s past climate and the limits of terrestrial life.

Mermaid - Wallpaper

 

"Mermaid" - Bahamas AI Art

 ©A. Derek Catalano

 

 Download full size: 1920x1088

 

 "Mermaid" - Bahamas AI Art
 ©A. Derek Catalano
 
 Download full size: 1920x1088

 

 

 "Mermaid" - Bahamas AI Art
 ©A. Derek Catalano
 
 Download full size: 1920x1088

 

The Cultural Awards 2025

 

 

 The Bahamas Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture

presents

The Cultural Awards 2025

 

 Atlantis, Paradise Is. Atlantis Theater

 

Saturday 25, October 2025

 

Cocktail Reception: 6:45pm

Award Show: 8pm

 

Tickets: $100 - Available at:

Bahamas Musicians & Entertainers Union - Horseshoe Drive and Carter St.

The Seventeen Shop - Collins Ave.

Escape Travel - Marathon Rd.(opp. KFC)

 

Dress Code: Formal 

Be Thankful for Family

 

 "Family Photo" - Bahamas AI Art

 ©A. Derek Catalano

 

 

 Be Thankful for Family

The sun dips low, and shadows start to creep,
Another day concludes its measured sweep,
And as the world outside its turmoil stills,
A quiet gratitude my spirit fills.
It is a thankfulness that runs so deep,
For those within the circle I will keep.
My family, a vast and vibrant tree,
The root, the trunk, the branches shielding me.

The Ancestral Roots and Branches

We start with those who shaped our early years,
Dispelling doubts and calming childhood fears.
The parents whose devotion set the mold,
Whose countless stories never can be told
In full measure, of the sacrifices made,
The gentle hands that nurtured, unafraid.
The steady counsel, wisdom earned with grace,
That guides our steps and helps us find our place.
We’re thankful for their presence, strong and sure,
The simple love that always will endure.

And then the siblings, born of shared descent,
A tapestry of moments closely spent.
The confidantes for secrets whispered low,
The willing partners in a childhood show.
The friendly rivalry, the quick defense,
A bond forged tight beyond all recompense.
A mirror held to watch ourselves evolve,
The constant promise that they will resolve
To stand beside us, come what may betide,
With nothing left to prove and naught to hide.

Coralina - Wallpaper

 

"Coralina" - Bahamas AI Art

 ©A. Derek Catalano

 

 Download full size: 5376x3072

"Coralina" - Bahamas AI Art
 ©A. Derek Catalano
 
 Download full size: 5376x3072

Friends of the Environment September E-News

 

Friends of the Environment September E-News

Preserving the environment of Abaco through education, conservation, and research facilitation.

Learn More

Dear Reader, I’ve been reminded a lot lately of the power and worth of community action. We all have our strengths and talents, and when we bring them together wonderful things can happen! How can you bring your passion and concern for the environment into your day to day interactions? At FRIENDS, this is something we aim to integrate into all of our programs and encourage our students to take initiative in. By repeating positive actions they become routine, our impacts cumulative, and others take notice and expand on these efforts. If you’re looking for a way to make a bigger impact in Abaco, please reach out to us. Your support and partnership are key to a sustainable future for our island community. Olivia Patterson Maura Executive Director