“The carnage has become part of our lives just like potholes in the road, increased fuel prices, crime in the military and police service and deep-seated corruption in the Judiciary. “[…] Murder has now become the supreme expression of corruption in our culture.” The following Letter to the Editor on …
Read More »Claude’s Comments: Why Britain owes Spiritual Baptists an apology and reparations
In November 2017, the Spiritual Baptists of T&T solemnly commemorated the centenary of “The Shouters’ Prohibition Ordinance,” the second wave of legislation designed to eradicate Afro-Caribbean Christianity. In 1927, Grenada was hit by the third wave, the “Public Meetings (Shakerism) Prohibition Ordinance.” The tidal wave of state persecution of Spiritual …
Read More »Dr Farrell: Why I quit EDAB; Gov’t was too slow and not using enough of our ideas
“There remains a large volume of work which is incomplete for lack of resources and I am acutely aware that several persons remain disappointed with the lack of progress on their ideas and proposals. “[…] My own expectations of high-level engagement followed by swift implementation on these and other policy …
Read More »Dear Editor: It was Panday—not Manning—who coined ‘community leader’ euphemism
“The time has come to correct gross inaccuracies pertaining to the widespread claim that former prime minister of Trinidad and Tobago and also former political leader of the People’s National Movement (PNM) Mr Patrick Manning had coined the phrase ‘community leaders’. “[…] Undisputed facts will clearly demonstrate that it was …
Read More »Baldeosingh: Calypso and chutney music are not inherently sexist; and here’s why
“The fact is that almost all the calypsoes that are deemed sexist are calypsoes which, in one way or another, express the power of women over men. Growling Tiger’s “Money is King” (1935) says: ‘If you have money and things going nice/Any woman will call you honey and spice/If you …
Read More »Daly Bread: The mudda count phenomenon and our sliding standards of behaviour
Massive: that is the extent of the opportunity presented by “Massive” Gosine’s “Rowlee Mudda Count.” It is an opportunity to have a meaningful discussion about taste and standards in public and cultural life. It does not matter whose count is referenced. The central issue is whether the unrelenting references to …
Read More »Dear Editor: The case of Gafoor’s chauffeur allowance has been badly misconstrued
“The matter referred to concerns the chauffeur’s allowance granted to the learned judge in her capacity as a judge. The High Court found as a fact that the allowance claimed arose as a matter of personal entitlement. “Up to that point in time, there had remained a question as to …
Read More »Dear Editor: Archie’s issues go beyond possible photoshop; he should declare his innings
“Aside from wondering if he is pursuing legal action as the CJ or as Ivor Archie in a personal capacity, I wonder who will be footing the bill? “And I have to wonder if the CJ is really that obtuse? […] It is not simply the one issue of whether …
Read More »Love’s Diary: Sometimes… Raheema returns to theme of love after marriage in short story form
Sometimes she just can’t help herself. She looks at him and her mind just drifts back to the first time, the very beginning of everything that would eventually become them. She would laugh to herself and at herself because, honestly, if someone had told her years ago that he would …
Read More »Claude’s Comments: Why loud Caribbean silence as Haiti marks 214th anniversary of Independence?
If, as Americans do, Haitians counted the birth of their nation from the launch of the revolutionary war, August 2017 would have marked the 226th anniversary of Independence. Instead, they chose the end of the Revolution, 1 January, 1804. On New Year’s Day 214 years ago, after his decisive defeat …
Read More »Dear Editor: Why RBC’s High Court win over BIGWU is a hammer blow for local Unions
“The requirement to keep trade union membership or non-membership confidential is well established as a means of avoiding victimisation of union members. “[…] This judgement argued that, in this case, there were ‘exceptional circumstances to warrant the order for disclosure as requested [by the RBC] and such an order would …
Read More »Dear Editor: Time for a Madame President; CAFRA asks for qualified women to be considered
“[…] Five male Presidents later, the next President of Trinidad and Tobago should be a woman. Such an appointment would be a significant indicator of gender equality and an expression of the democratic value of inclusion. “We should widen the scope of persons to be considered and Trinidad and Tobago …
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