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Trinidad and Tobago can only look on aghast as a once beloved public figure hurtles towards the rocks and now looks certain to be divorced from a position that he truly cherished as much as we loved seeing him in it.
But enough about the break-up of “Brangelina”. Anybody caught the latest on President Anthony “Pussyfoot” Carmona?
Well it appears that while the two island republic gets through the week with large and frequent bouts of tea sipping, “President Powers” prefers wine. And that’s not the half of it.
(Courtesy Rhoda Bharath)
A bizarre photo which shows the seal of the Office of the President on a bottle of sparkling wine has sparked a furious conversation that probably won’t help your digestive system much.
Is the Office of the President, packaging, selling or distributing wine? Wouldn’t flesh-colour belts be more in line with the Carmonas’ brand? Does Pussyfoot just like to see his label everywhere like The Donald?
Mr Live Wire understands that Government ministers, who also run thriving trades in second-hand vehicles, are furious at the possible implications. So far, Carmona has not commented on the furore although a non-reputable source from the Office of the President told Wired868: “Can’t knock da hustle… On My Level… THat Part!”
University lecturer, author, blogger, radio talk-show co-host and Facebook bad-ass Rhoda Bharath spelt out the allegations against Trinidad and Tobago’s Head of State in a Facebook Live webcast, which surprised many internet users who thought that function was designed to show off your Sunday lunch or moan about long queues.
In the old days, Bharath would have had to pass over her information to a media house in return for a 30-second soundbite to make her case to the public. Today, she can deliver her own newscast while showing off her bookcase and musical preferences and engaging “Nokio”, “Phelps” and “Dennis” in running commentary.
There was a marked difference in the tone of the traditional and social media reports too.
(Copyright Frederic Dubray/AFP 2016/Wired868)
Old media excerpt: “Allegations of misspending: There is silence from President’s House… about questionable spending.”
New media excerpt: “You see when it comes to State funds and we tax dollars jumping up and wining going down the f**king road… We can’t have the President running slack with we money!”
Ahem. Beat that for incisive commentary in your weekend column, Martin Daly SC!
Bharath mentioned the Auditor General’s 2016 report on the President’s House, which stated that: “There were 85 instances of incorrect classification of expenditure totalling TT$2,685,236.90 in contravention of Financial Regulation 65.”
The Auditor General further noted that “TT$300,444.92 sampled from total purchases amounting to TT$685,469.22 for the President’s household were not entered in the Inventory Register.”
So what were these “incorrect classifications”? The Auditor General asked the President House’s to clarify in a 15 March 2016 memorandum but no response was released.
Bharath attempted to fill the knowledge void by suggesting that they might be—according to alleged whispers—jewellery and toiletries among other unmentionables.
Rum shop logic is when you hear breakfast function and dress for breakfast fete.
(Courtesy Zimbio)
Trinidad and Tobago, she said, might now have State jewels. And President Pussyfoot’s lifestyle is “Ova Dweet”.
“When they demitting office, them jewels staying right there for whoever become President and President’s wife,” said Bharath. “That jewellery belongs to the State! I don’t care if it is a Rattan’s bracelet he buy for she, once it is tax money buy it that belongs to us!
“The President’s wife must be ‘Doh-Care-Gaza-Princess’. Because how you could be a person of principle and not turn around and tell your husband: ‘No honey, buy it out of your salary’.”
That is, of course, if the President did make such purchases And, for the record, Mr Live Wire does have his doubts as to whether Carmona indeed possesses jewels of any kind, let alone any that a future president might want to inherit.
And, to be as fair as possible to Reema Carmona, Mr Live Wire would also like to stress that the First Lady could not possible have Doh-Care-Gaza-Princess as a tattoo on her person. We would have seen it already.
Still, it appears that another Trinidad and Tobago public figure has to answer questions on the possible misappropriation of funds.
Or, as Bharath succinctly put it: “People who not supposed to be f**king up with we money, f**king up with we money…”
(Courtesy GISL)
What else is new. Been there, bought the tee-shirt with a bounced cheque.
However, President Pussyfoot clearly has a new new media sparring partner. And star comedian Rachel Price might have to make room on her throne as the undisputed queen of the video blog.
Waaay sah. What kinda Kia Ranking thing you on, Rhoda?!
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Mr. Live Wire is an avid news reader who translates media reports for persons who can handle the truth. And satire. Unlike Jack Nicholson, he rarely yells.
Great Reporting As UsUal
Much ado about a wine….hmmm….something else is cooking. I can smell it.
*Standing ovation*
*curtsies*
how low?
Down de road like white line…
Sorry HE needs to Cease N Desist
Reporting live from the gutter…
Much Ado about Nothing #restingbitchface
Clearly this is a Confusion as to what (if any) Powers he have or Doh Have
You need to Cease n Desist
Too much Bacchanal????
“a non-reputable source” – AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
Wired868 stands on its honesty! ???
(guffaw)
Is when the last administration had a public consultation for CSOs to boof we about getting money from terrorists groups and persons of questionable character but wasnt willing to talk party financing. We so funni in dis country
I am sure then would have been the first time some of them may have wondered where government was getting money from!
We don’t have to wait long republic day soon come we will hear all about rum shop politics.
The literary devices though!
Shucks! My first comment was dumb. I should have guessed that some scandal was lurking, but for some reason I assumed that all was innocent and proper.
He lost the Script. Go Rachel price.
????
Lasana you an these headlines does kill me yes, I rolling with laughter at this one
love the head line Lasana
I outright flatlined. >_<
My guess is that the Office of the President does enough entertaining to reasonably purchase sparkling wine in bulk. I think it is excellent to have the neutral, non-commercial Presidential House Label rather than advertising various commercial wine producers.
Shucks! I should have guessed that some scandal was lurking in the background. Sorry, my comment was dumb. I assumed that everything was innocent and proper!
Not Cyarmoanah….yuck!!!
My word! What a horrid image that headline makes. Ewwwww
I hope Facebook Bad ass is going onto your CV.
Lovelace reference and errrryting! Ah too glad!
Warren! Hahahahaha!
Ah was wondering this morning who would use d jewels joke!
Jus reading that post cracking me up
“If the right people had been in charge of Nixon’s funeral, his casket would have been launched into one of those open-sewage canals that empty into the ocean just south of Los Angeles. He was a swine of a man and a jabbering dupe of a president. Nixon was so crooked that he needed servants to help him screw his pants on every morning. Even his funeral was illegal. He was queer in the deepest way. His body should have been burned in a trash bin.” — from Hunter S. Thompson’s 1994 Rolling Stone obituary for Richard Nixon
Welllll yesss
“University lecturer, author, blogger, radio talk-show co-host and Facebook bad-ass Rhoda Bharath!!!!!” Yuh done know!!!!!!!!
My CV looooong dread.
It is……….. but yuh cyah fault the description….it ACCURATE!!!
True…
Funny, I have a letter to send you rand I was looking for your tittle. I guess I can use all of the above!
Lollololol
The headline! ????
If this had happened in a First World Country ,a resignation or an arrest would be on the cards.When the Nixon debacle exploded and he was exposed as the liar that he was,Sen .Barry Goldwater sat with the rest of the High Rankers watching it then got up and said ,and I quote,” Let’s go and tell the son of a bitch to get his arse out of the White House.”
Methinks the village smith hath partake of the product of the vine.
When someone desecrates the post they occupy,besmirches the sanctity of office,exposes the honoured seat to odium,ridicule and contempt then that person and that person alone is responsible for befouling the sovereignty of a nation to conduct its own affairs.
“Desecrates” and “besmirches” …in what way?
Brian Jordan the fact that you still ask such a question, after all the corruption, which has been, and continues to be exposed, speaks volumes.
Not sure why you hide your name, but that speaks even more loudly..
Brian Jordan My name is not hidden!!! Not because you don’t understand Japanese, means my name is hidden. Your ignorance is showing, and it’s not cute. #IgnorantMuch
Insults mean nothing and do nothing to move along a simple discussion.. Feel free to continue the insults.. Sad
Brian Jordan you’re fishing!!! Nobody has resorted to insults. You tried to, by making an ignorant comment about my name. It’s okay to be wrong, it’s okay to admit when you’re wrong. But, being wrong and strong prevents you, from achieving enlightenment.
How about sharing your “enlightenment” by answering my first question.
The office of the President of Trinidad and Tobago has come under disrepute for the following reasons:
1) The use of alleged STATE FUNDS to purchase jewelry for the wife of the President of Trinidad and Tobago, by the President of Trinidad and Tobago.
2) The use of alleged STATE FUNDS to source, purchase, and bottle wine.
3) The use of the OFFICIAL SEAL of The Office of the President of Trinidad and Tobago, on the label of said wine. If you don’t know, the OFFICIAL SEAL of the Office of the President of Trinidad and Tobago, is for OFFICIAL STATE business ONLY!!! There are no exceptions.
4) The use of alleged STATE FUNDS to purchase toiletries.
5) The use of alleged STATE FUNDS to to do repairs on two private properties in Fyzabad.
6) The Office of the President of Trinidad and Tobago gave official government jobs to friends/family of the President of Trinidad and Tobago. Though Nepotism and Cronyism is not illegal per se, it’s a big conflict of interest in public office, especially if the person isn’t qualified for the position.
7) The use of the Presidential Grounds staff, to frequently do work on the private properties in Fyzabad.
8) Having RETIRED staff continue in their positions, working for the Office of the President of Trinidad and Tobago, NOT a contractual position.
This is only what we know of. If you think that these things, are okay, then you accept the corruption, and mismanagement of state funds, in public office. The Office of the President of Trinidad and Tobago, is the HIGHEST office in the land. It is supposed to be WITHOUT disrepute. Accountability, and Transparency, should be tantamount in public office. If we allow this level of corruption, in the highest office in the land, how can we expect there to NOT be lawlessness, at the grassroots level???
Thanks. Now if there is proof that the President did all this, why has he not been reprimanded or removed?
Brian Jordan there is proof. When these things were unearthed he was in Guyana. The questions have been posed to him, and we’re still awaiting, with bated breath for a response, from the Office of the President.
Also the mismanagement of funds showed up in Colm Imbert’s report, on the Presidential budget.
K. Is there not a remedy available to the current government? Why wait for the President to condemn himself?
Brian Jordan it’s a process. You have to do an investigation. You have to give the President the opportunity to dispute the facts. Then prosecute based on the results of the investigation.
K. I am willing to allow the process to unfold and let the chips fall as they may. I think the President, or any citizen for that matter should expect that much…
It would appear that the Auditor General office does not have the structure to compel responses from Government ministries and agencies…they routinely refuse to answer queries about expenditure or in the case of State Agencies, refuse to provide annual reports….time to push for legislation to make the Auditor General office more powerful….
Great point. It won’t happen though since the same people ‘wining’ on us is the same people who have to make this change.
Sorry for my cynicism.
Not cynical, realistic….neither side of the House wants the AGen office to be stronger, nor do they want an overhaul of the State sector or strong Procurement legislation….note how the latter has gone underground…..
Actually, Public Servants can lose their jobs for misappropriation of funds. Someone should has been under investigation already for what was revealed in the report. Public Servants are not allowed to use funds allocated for expenditure to purchase items that were not approved .
And don’t forget campaign finance reform – which for me is where all the bachannal starts. Political favours mash us up
Lester ultimately it may boil down to perm secs and from what i know they have little accountability as well.
Tanya yuh maad ….. and which track it go have fuh gouti tuh run?
You-and-all!
hahahaaaa
Lmao….
Just last evening the AG announced that Gov’t going to push through the Procurement legislation
waiting to see that actually proclaimed. Hear nuff talk over the years
I still waiting for them the push through the legislation banning child marriages.
It coming.
Nice….but in what form and with what strength?They were already trying to water it down by convening yet another committee to review the bill…..
The ag say it tabled for first thing in new term
Timothy daiz what all dem hard back man marrying chirren does say.
Cindy Howe let them hold on dat! We want them to push through legislation to remove ah prez when he/she step out ah bongs
Vernal Damion Cadogan Doh worry vernal. I waiting patiently for them.
https://www.facebook.com/END-Child-Marriages-in-Trinidad-and-Tobago-NOW-1571076783160839/?fref=ts
https://www.change.org/p/country-end-child-marriages-in-trinidad-and-tobago-now
Seriously though ….. why we can’t just bring back Max?
Ah mean yeah he usedto vomit in stoosh fete and appear on Trinijunglejuice more than state functions, but he didn’t used tuh tief!
And overhaul of the State sector is being considered by yet another committee…..meanwhile many state companies continue to fail to produce audited financial reports, for decades now…..
Well Vernal, not that we know of…..I mean, who can say what people are capable of when in power, and indeed corruption is a long standing cultural epidemic in TT, since Colonial days ….
Max had good taste … taate good rum, taste good scotch, taste good beer ….
Rhoda say Pussyfoot doh have the Integrity of ah piper!
Lester Logie…saw the police charged someone for larceny servant. Wonder if we would hear about other persons charged soon.
Timothy Christopher P Nokio….permanent secretaries have ALL the accountabilities as they are the accounting officer to answer to the population on how taxpayers $ are being spent. And the Min of Finance can hold them accountable.
Tanya Carr…regarding the state sector, that was where the Public Sector (Enterprise) Committee comes in. They are called before this committee to answer about how they have been running, and why. I saw the Min of Sport and a couple others. Recommendations were made. Let’s see what, if anything, is going to happen.
Nerisha Mohammed He does just transfer them just like how the commish does transfer rogue police
Lol…ihu…
Thing to laugh and cry at same time. lol
“And, to be as fair as possible to Reema Carmona, Mr Live Wire would also like to stress that the First Lady could not possible have Doh-Care-Gaza-Princess as a tattoo on her person. We would have seen it already.”
hahhahaaaa
Oppps!
Bring back Max
$685 000 worth of items purchased are not on the inventory register!
Lol
I cant believe the childish mentality of all of you unpatriotic gutter rats. People have some respecct for the position if you dont have respect for yourselves. Shame on all of you.
Wat d hell is this. Anothet issue wit d Powers I HAVE or HAVE NOT. Wat a shame
Alas and alack! the jewels are laid bare and the balls are tossed aside.
Whatever happens,once Ms.Bharath is in the vicinity,the security forces will be under great strain in protecting the family jewels.It will be a testy situation.
Papayo
A constitutional change allowing the people to recall the politicians’ choice for president would be nice…
But the people don’t put him there to start with.
I’m aware of how a president becomes president hence my phrasing “the politicians’ choice.”
At the moment a president only leaves office when his/her term expires.
A constitutional change that allows the people to remove the president at any point during his/her five year term would be welcomed by me.
And me. Starting to wonder if we really need such an office in the first place…
Dwayne, idk that intertwining the head of state and head of government roles would be any better. Sigh…
Chabeth, former P/M Patrick was talking about us having an executive president. However…unless we have an oversight body that can step in to over rule excesses…especially where the use of the military is concerned…that’s something i’d never vote for .
Rum you think I have I do not. But Wine you think I don’t have, I do!
The second video – https://www.facebook.com/rhodabharath/videos/10154509707172812/
The first video – https://www.facebook.com/rhodabharath/videos/10154504829082812/
Who have I’s Wale Sea
Precisely!
I’m weeping here, nearly fell off the sofa….
These are serious allegations of questionable state funds expenditure and management… Your move Mr President!
This ENTIRE headline is ridiculous ??? Lasana we spoke about you having some behaviour!
???
Doh Care Gaza Princess Rhoda start it!
Lasana Rhoda has the best hashtags, but you took it to another level of Gazafication ???
???
Oh lorty lort!