“[…] We don’t see here as part of Trinidad. We see here [as] a diseased part that we wish would go away. I tell people if your left kidney is cancerous and you ignore it, it will kill you. “If you focus on the parts of your body that are …
Read More »Noble: With all the wealth T&T generated, why were there only broken promises for Beetham?
“[…] The last government never did anything like this (the Clean-up and Beautify Trinidad campaign). This is a great opportunity for the residents and the surroundings. “Beetham Gardens was plagued with many health hazards, especially affecting children: the stagnant drains, the mosquitoes, the flies, the non-collection of garbage on time …
Read More »Noble: T&T’s poverty of imagination—none so blind as he who would not see
In the mid-60s, there was a proposal to move people out of what was then called Shanty Town to Morvant. Lord Blakie (1965) summed up the resistance among the people there: How they want them to move/ They say they eh going nowhere/Build big house in Morvant/ But if they …
Read More »Noble: Raising the next generation—on Akeal’s “escape” and Tyeisha’s travails
Akeal Hosein, the latest West Indies cricket sensation, described his father, in an interview published on CricInfo, as “the perfect role model” who worked two jobs and one evening collapsed with exhaustion upon walking through the door. He was a man who spoke to him with respect and as an …
Read More »Noble: The Men Behind the Curtains—beware the manipulators among us
“[…] The police, they’re going after the young kids on the streets…the big fish don’t come to do deals directly. “The big fish are […] politicians and businessmen; them is the men, and they’re the ones who are bringing the drugs in, too. Dem is the men who behind the …
Read More »Noble: Auditing the Nation’s books; why Ms Ramdass’ actions deserve scrutiny
Last week’s column quoted an INTOSAI (the global body of auditors general) statement: “Independence does not mean an adversary relationship… Collaborative spirit must be the governing rule. “Good relations can help […] to obtain better results. Independence is not only a privilege—it also entails obligations and should not be viewed …
Read More »Noble: What auditor general impasse says about the quality of our leaders
The ongoing saga of the auditor general and the understatement of the country’s revenue reveal the quality of our leaders. Did Dr Keith Rowley exhibit due diligence in approving the nomination? We have long harped on the notion of seniority in promoting leaders. But is that the best approach? In …
Read More »Vaneisa: Inside the Labyrinth; how art can help save lives in T&T
On 16 May, the Central Bank Museum launched an exhibition of the late Glen Roopchand’s art. Roopchand, whose work is perhaps most publicly visible in his rendition of Carlisle Chang’s The Inherent Nobility of Man, which is on display at the Piarco International Airport, died in July 2022. The collection …
Read More »Noble: Minding our business; how Massy’s performance affects everyone
Every child of a certain age would have grown up with a parent who taught them, “Drunk or sober, mind your business!” The lesson being imparted was, “Do not get distracted. Stay focused. Do not get caught up with other people’s drama.” The sound and fury around Massy’s encounter …
Read More »Daly Bread: Accuracy of fact regarding NICU deaths
In the gloom of last Sunday, generated by the deaths of seven babies in less than a week at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) in the Port of Spain General Hospital this month, I took heart from the offerings of fellow columnists Raffique Shah and Noble Phillip. During the …
Read More »Noble: Lack of integrity scares me—does Mr Harford think crooks wouldn’t jook him?
“Look for three things in a person: intelligence, energy and integrity. If they don’t have the last one, don’t even bother with the first two.” Warren Buffett, chairman of Berkshire Hathaway. As a young child, I used to hear scary stories. La Diablesse, Socouyant and Douen were staples. Telling scary …
Read More »Noble: This is Madness! Sparrow warned about slaughter of our young
On Friday 5 April, the Express headline screamed, “Things you see in movies”. Little did the writer know that more horror stories would come within the week. The newspapers do not have to worry about the frequency of headlines that cause us to gasp. They can do it every day …
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