Just two Sundays ago, I discussed the inability of our public officials to beg our pardon when they blunder. They show contempt for our intelligence and our own experience when they spin improbable explanations for obvious blundering. The Government has had a very bad fortnight of blunders and ‘no beg-pardons.’ …
Read More »Withholding assent: President Carmona does not understand his ‘powers’
I take comfort from the assertion of Archbishop Joe Harris last week that one does not go to hell for telling the truth, in light of the fact that it is necessary again to examine the conduct of the office of the President of the Republic. What has prompted this …
Read More »You can’t shame the shameless; why Integrity Commission is a waste
When constitutionally-independent institutions in the country seem to be collapsing, when holders of the highest offices seem confused about their roles and perplexed about their powers. And when the law publicly proves to be the proverbial ass, then, Trinidad and Tobago, we have a problem. A very serious problem. Many people …
Read More »Bleeding in the Senate and in the street; and the link between the two
The Independent Senators appointed by the President of the Republic are currently in the news for all the wrong reasons. One of them, albeit a temporary one, has responded obscenely to criticism, including deployment of lurid phrases, which I decided not to quote. The said President has on occasion shown …
Read More »Incompetent Carmona: Fixin’ T&T knocks president’s choice of Dr Kriyaan Singh
Fixin’ T&T, a local civic watch group, has questioned the competence of Trinidad and Tobago president Anthony Carmona, after his selection of Dr Kriyaan Singh as a temporary Independent Senator. The following is the full press release from Fixin’ T&T: President Anthony Carmona’s decision to place Dr Kriyaan Singh as …
Read More »Rhoda Bharath: Why Dr Kriyaan Singh is a disturbing choice as Independent Senator
What’s so outstanding about Dr Kriyaan Singh? Author and blogger Rhoda Bharath queries President Anthony Carmona’s appointment as temporary Independent Senator: Dear President Carmona, I trust this letter will find you in the best of health. I write to raise concerns about a recent appointment to the Independent Bench in …
Read More »The view from pit: Daly muses on hypocritical response to State appointments
Following the recent appointment of former Independent Senator Helen Drayton to chair a state enterprise Board, a strange concept emerged that persons not having blind affiliation to a political party become “tainted” if they serve the country at the behest of a Government. Although responsible opinion has dealt well with …
Read More »I swear! Jabari Fraser looks at Senators Drayton, Mark and Richards
“I, having been elected a member of parliament, do swear that I will bear true faith and allegiance to Trinidad and Tobago, will uphold the constitution and the law and will conscientiously and impartially discharge responsibilities to the people of Trinidad and Tobago, upon which I am about to enter.” …
Read More »The political appointee label; Daly looks at some controversial picks
The competing arguments concerning the appointment of Mrs Helen Drayton to the Chair of the Board of Directors of a State enterprise—immediately following her completion of service as an Independent Senator—has highlighted once again the issue of appointments in the public sector other than those made to the constitutionally established …
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