Today on MORNING BLEND:

Businessman Graham Weatherford believes more Bahamians should be allowed to carry handguns. He says this would result in fewer people being victims of gun violence. And he believes the policy allowing businessmen and shopkeepers to have licensed shotguns and hunting rifles – instead of handguns – actually puts more people in danger. Listeners and callers have a lot to say on this hot-button issue.

And “In The News”, we and our listeners pay tribute to Winston ‘Gus’ Cooper; the Valley Boys leader passed away Saturday at 72.
And we discuss Moody’s outlook for The Bahamas, and the credit rating agency’s assessment of continued weakness in stopover tourism visitor arrivals, and predictions of the impact following the implementation of VAT.

Be sure to follow Dwight on twitter @MorningBlend969 and check out our new Facebook page! http://facebook.com/MorningBlend969 Also contact us via email at morningblend@nasguard.com and call in to the studio 323-6232 | 323-8160.

Today on MORNING BLEND:

Bishop Walter Hanchell with Citizens For Justice talks about the group’s 7-point Anti-Crime Action Plan. The goal is to unite key stakeholders including church leaders, community organizations, and the business community, to reduce the scourge of crime.

“In The News”, Prime Minister Perry Christie says the government and the Bahamian people need to give “serious consideration” to capital punishment. We try to decipher what that means.
Plus, more reaction to govt’s crime plan, Dr. Hubert Minnis’ latest response to the govt’s BTC buy-back plan; and the always-controversial New Year’s Day Junkanoo Parade results.

And listeners tell us their 5 top stories for 2013, and the 5 most fascinating people in The Bahamas for the year.

Be sure to follow Dwight on twitter @MorningBlend969 and check out our new Facebook page! http://facebook.com/MorningBlend969 Also contact us via email at morningblend@nasguard.com and call in to the studio 323-6232 | 323-8160.

Today on MORNING BLEND:

With already two murders on just the first day of the New Year, Rev. C.B. Moss with Bahamas Against Crime weighs in on the crime situation in the country. He says, unfortunately, the focus is still not on the social issues at the root of the problem. And he laments the lack of will to once-and-for-all deal with the issues on the part of those in leadership positions.

“In The News”, Silbert Mills of Radio Abaco gives us a unique perspective on the shanty town problems in Abaco. The discussion comes following the deaths of a woman and a child in a devastating fire on New Year’s Eve in the Pigeon Pea shanty town of Marsh Harbour. The fire destroyed at least 90 structures and has left hundreds homeless.

Be sure to follow Dwight on twitter @MorningBlend969 and check out our new Facebook page! http://facebook.com/MorningBlend969 Also contact us via email at morningblend@nasguard.com and call in to the studio 323-6232 | 323-8160.

Dr. Wayne Thompson breaks down what’s at the heart of the social problems in the country today, and how and why crime and criminal mentalities are more pervasive than most Bahamians are willing to admit. He discusses what needs to happen to begin the transformation of this society.

And “In The News”, reaction to the govt’s crime plan. Prime Minister Perry Christie announced some 20 initiatives at a LIVE televised press conference on Thursday. However, many of the ideas are already in place, or were previously promised. And FNM leader Dr. Hubert Minnis says the plan was both “lame and vacuous”.

Be sure to follow Dwight on twitter @MorningBlend969 and check out our new Facebook page! http://facebook.com/MorningBlend969 Also contact us via email at morningblend@nasguard.com and call in to the studio 323-6232 | 323-8160.

Today on MORNING BLEND:

Reaction to the shocking massacre in Fox Hill.

And in Part II of the Morning Blend Roundtable, Dwight and his co-hosts – Alesha Hart, Farrell Goff and Andrew Strachan – talk about tackling crime, and discuss some of the positive developments for the country in 2013.

Plus, Part I of our “Quote of the Year”.

Be sure to follow Dwight on twitter @MorningBlend969 and check out our new Facebook page! http://facebook.com/MorningBlend969 Also contact us via email at morningblend@nasguard.com and call in to the studio 323-6232 | 323-8160.