In last Sunday’s column, I sought to inject some reality into the discussions about what to do about violent crime. In the course of that column I referred yet again to the impunity with which murder and other crimes are committed and had a bit of a sardonic smile that …
Read More »The real issues with our crime “plan”: Daly says politicians too busy supping with the devil
The respective teams led by the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition met two Fridays ago on violent crime. The main promise afterward was that there would be co-operation on anti crime legislation, including the Government giving the Opposition early notice of the Bills it intended to introduce …
Read More »How does steelpan fit in violent, troubled T&T?
Preparing a column for publication today was a difficult task because of the paradox of the visible joy when citizens congregate for a street lime but under which lies the deep grief of a murderous, contact driven and unjust society. Why are we having such a good time in celebration …
Read More »Securitile dysfunction updated: Daly looks at our continued crime fighting shortcomings
The first anniversary of the Rowley PNM in office is approaching. Many have commented on an apparent lack of decisive action to get revenue and expenditure in better balance after the wild spending spree of the preceding UNC Government, especially in the circumstances of collapsed energy sector prices. The population …
Read More »The birdsong eviction: Ignoring the performing arts leaves room for dark arts
Makandal Daaga’s funeral took place yesterday. The 1970 Black Power movement may have frightened many but it was a necessary part of our evolution and a shake up of those values that still make us think less of ourselves and keep us indifferent to our indigenous movements, like the pan …
Read More »Understanding The Thing: Daly muses over T&T’s curious self-esteem
As mentioned in this column recently we are a society pock-marked by destructive shade preference practiced by citizens of all descents, even within ethnically kindred groups. I had intended to return to the subject because in my view there is an inextricable link between the violent crime that is again …
Read More »Not in high esteem: Daly on faltering public trust in legal practitioners
High esteem does not come easily in or towards our country these days. Public trust is at an all time low, not surprisingly so because of decades of poor governance and the intersection of politics and corrupt business. Some commentators were dismissive of the idea that last Monday’s no confidence …
Read More »After the speeches, what? Daly muses over the aftermath of Manning’s State funeral
Our Prime Minister Keith Rowley made a splendid speech on the occasion of the state funeral of former Prime Minister, Patrick Manning. Dr Rowley kept it light and anecdotal, with reminders that he was his own man in the course of his rocky relationship with his deceased former “chief”. In …
Read More »Organised disappointment: Daly considers Caribbean lessons from Brexit
I arrived in London 30 hours after the Brexit referendum decided that Britain would set out to leave the European Union. Two days later, a second Brexit occurred when Iceland tossed England out of the European Football Championship. There has been copious handwringing over both results. Space constraints inhibit me …
Read More »Bailing out: How lapsing bills and political bickering have T&T living in jail
It is generally known, but only reluctantly acknowledged, that our institutions are failing us. The reasons why this failure is not the subject of broad based civic and political action have been set out in my columns many times. Currently the Parliament has contributed to a massive national security failure. …
Read More »Planting the garden wrong: Daly frets over T&T’s bitter cassava as values go astray
The instability, corruption and favouritism—as well as enduring shade, class and foreign preference—and just plain, but twisted, foolishness have become so overwhelming that I have been unable to write about some of my favourite things that reflect the resources capable of making Trinidad and Tobago a happier place. I had …
Read More »Sailing on the Awesome Conjob; the Naipaul-Coolman case and soca on the seas
The digital and social media now regularly facilitates the uncovering of many matters that in earlier times might have slipped through the darkness of political obfuscation, including taking blatantly inconsistent positions on the same issue. One example of a significant revelation is the massive wrongdoing that has occurred in the …
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