Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley is still being commended by some for taking decisive action in firing Ms Marlene McDonald for a second time. If Dr Rowley had any appreciation for the philosophy that “politicians serve their party best when they put their country first”, Ms McDonald would not have …
Read More »Dear Editor: A house for Mr T&T? Country FirsTT asks citizens to back bid for HDC fairness
“There are currently—and this is a figure that comes from the HDC itself—180,000 applicants on the HDC’s books, which is just about 12% of the entire population. That is no surprise. “The surprise is that, despite the length of the waiting list, there are several developments all across the country …
Read More »The Misuse of Telephones and Telegrams: Why State is over-reaching by prosecuting Facebook post
“The provision [used to prosecute Rayad Mohammed] was enacted in 1951. Yes, 1951. It was enacted to deal with the “misuse of telephone facilities and false telegrams. The legislature at the time sought to capture offensive messages that may have been transmitted by landlines and telegrams. “It is a stretch, …
Read More »Rowley sacks Marlene; Prime Minister adds Public Utilities to his portfolio
Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley has sacked his Minister of Public Utilities Marlene McDonald, just two days after appointing her in the first place. A release from the Office of the Prime Minister stated that Rowley “today advised President Anthony Carmona to revoke the appointment of Ms Marlene McDonald, Minister …
Read More »Dear Editor: In the wake of three youth suicides, is T&T ready to consider the mentally ill?
“How competent and resourced are the existing services [that deal with suicidal people and the mentally ill]? The answer to that question will tell you how serious were are about treating this problem.” The following release on youth suicide and society, which follows three suicides over the past two weeks, …
Read More »Dear Editor: A Tale of Two Critics; why Bourdain’s T&T review was ultimately tasty
“[Anthony] Bourdain doesn’t concern himself about whether the food is too much for his ‘tummy’—as [Megan Ogilvie gripes—he explores and situates the cuisine within Trinidad’s history: doubles, roti, fish, kibbeh, pastelles, souse, callaloo, crab and dumplings… the delicious and unique list goes on.” The following Letter to the Editor was submitted …
Read More »Ex-Defence Force chief: I know nothing about any death threats to Faris! AG’s integrity under question
In a Trinidad Guardian article published on 12 October 2016, Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi claimed that his family received a threat assessment and instruction from the Defence Force after “umpteen death threats” since he assumed office. “The security agencies indicated that it was imperative that international protocols for training [when] …
Read More »Crowne: The problem with the Cybercrime Bill and why journalists are right to be afraid
“The ‘formal’ effect of the provision would seemingly not criminalise investigative journalism, whereas the ‘substantive’ and practical effect would in fact stifle investigative journalism and journalistic independence as a whole. Democratic discourse could be severely trammelled.” Senior lecturer (Mona) and barrister Dr Emir Crowne, BA, LLB, LLM, LLM, PhD, LEC, …
Read More »Chief Justice Archie should stand firm; Fixin T&T alleges that Law Association is political tool
“The actions of the [Law Association of Trinidad and Tobago] are serving to further undermine confidence in the very institution it claims to be seeking to protect. Any success realised will set a bad and extremely dangerous precedent.” Fixin’ T&T slams the Law Association of Trinidad and Tobago (LATT) for its …
Read More »Law Association defends Justice Seepersad against political bias allegations, scolds media
“We urge the Registry to take steps to ensure that any such suspected attempts at forum shopping are immediately brought to the attention of the judiciary so that remedial action can be taken. “We ask the print media to be mindful that blindly repeating what is being peddled on social …
Read More »Dear Editor: Judicial independence in T&T is under attack by a “select group of lawyers”
“Judicial independence essentially means that judges and other judicial officers are free to exercise the functions of their office without fear of reprisal, retribution or termination. The elements of such independence are security of tenure, financial security and administrative independence. “Each of these elements is essential to ensure that democracy …
Read More »DEAR EDITOR: Force-fed freedom? Must Muslim women move backwards to Islamic Front?
“Is Abdullah suggesting, however irrational that may appear, that anyone who raises questions about the advisability or wisdom of wearing the hijab is encouraging Muslim women to tend towards prostitution? “Clearly, Muslim women, hijabis or not, can think for themselves. Evidently, Aisha Sabur didn’t feel she wanted to remove her …
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