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Well, Sport Minister Brent Sancho is not the only fellah in Cabinet who knows what it is like to score an own goal. Then again, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has hired so many own goal specialists that the People’s Partnership Government should probably be investigated for match fixing.
All the same, it was PNM leader Dr Keith Rowley who hammered the ball past his own goalkeeper this time. Naturally, Rowley did his best impression of a hapless defender at a public meeting in Brazil—albeit the one behind La Horquetta and not the site of that 7-1 Germany semifinal triumph.
“She could jump high, she could jump low,” said Rowley. “She could drink this, she could drink that. She could bark at my dog because I will ignore she cat.”
(Copyright AFP 2014/Tasso Marcelo)
Eh? Wait, is it Tanty Kamla or the dog that was barking? And what does the cat have to do with anything? Was the cat bullying the dog? Was it self-defence? Is ignoring one’s problems the best solution? Does anyone know if the dog was traumatised?
It was a bizarre statement. More like something the Riddler might say after his second bottle of Johnny Walker than what you would expect on a political platform from a man aspiring to rescue Trinidad and Tobago from remarkably high public cynicism and low oil prices.
Let’s start with what the two opposing camps made of it.
Stacy Roopnarine, the chairperson of UNC Women’s Arm, said Rowley’s statement was too derogatory to repeat. Which might be easier to believe if the UNC did not put then PNM candidate Hilton Sandy’s racist “Calcutta ship” barb in an advertisement that was repeated ad nauseam during their unsuccessful THA election campaign.
“We are extremely disappointed that in today’s society when women have struggled for decades and fought for equality in treatment to take their place side by side with our brothers, that you still have a leader making such distasteful comments against women,” stated Roopnarine, in a press release. “… Globally, women continue to fight for their rightful place and the Hon Kamla Persad-Bissessar has been one such leader to always advocate for women’s rights and equality in treatment…
“We therefore call upon the Leader of the Opposition to apologise to the Prime Minister and every woman of this nation for his disrespectful and derogatory comments against women…”
Roopnarine knows the Prime Minister’s take on equality in the workplace first-hand. Persad-Bissessar sacked her last month after she squealed on one of the boys, Suruj Rambachan, over some suspect State contracts.
(Copyright AFP 2014/Frederic Dubray)
As for Roopnarine’s call to arms for womenfolk, it would be interesting to hear what Nicole Dyer-Griffith thinks of the new poster girl for “female solidarity.”But, as a wise green frog would mutter, that ent none of Live Wire’s business.
On the other side of the fence, Rowley supporters pointed out that the Opposition Leader merely quoted from an old Tobago saying and detractors were either advised to lighten up or accused of bias against the good folk of the “Sister Isle.”
Mr Live Wire can think of a few old sayings that are best buried and forgotten.
Suppose disgraced ex-Chaguaramas Development Authority (CDA) board member Jaishima Leladharsingh had said he was referencing that old, popular nursery rhyme: “…catch a nigger by the toe?”
Besides, who was Rowley’s intended target audience? Elderly, non-PC Tobagonian men? When a punchline falls flat, is it the fault of the spectators or the speaker?
Trinidad and Tobago decided that it wanted a change of Government two and a half years ago, when thousands of citizens took to the street in outrage at sneaky Section 34. All the PNM leadership had to accomplish between then and the 2015 General Election was not to say or do anything stupid enough to make them change their minds.
But these days, it seems like expecting Keithos to stay out of trouble is like asking a six-month old baby to stand up straight or asking the West Indies to bat for 50 overs.
(Courtesy Jyoti Communication)
Live Wire believes whatever designs the Opposition Leader may or may not have on the Prime Minister’s cat and whichever willing waistline he happens to wine on during the bacchanal season pales in comparison to the PP’s rape of the Treasury and routine disrespect of citizens.
All the same, Rowley is well advised to leave the witty soundbites to characters like Jack Warner and Anil Roberts. Speak to us like intelligent adults, Opposition Leader, not as though we are drunken patrons in a talk tent or comedy festival.
And, for God’s sake, Brazil is no place to forget the merit of a solid defence.
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U have a timetable or wha!
No for real, it was only quarter tuh two.
What kina man you tink I is?
Oh Lawd Vernal…bwahaha
Well written……
There is no ‘Y’ in CAT. – Me when I heard the recording of his speech. As always great piece Lasana. Totally agree that people need to stay calm and trust their common sense.
Hahahaha
Well it certainly not in “Kyat”.
Is only quarter tuh two! LOL
Well, the whole time would be an exaggeration Vernal. Although I am guessing you’re talking tongue in cheek there. Lol
And to think Rowley spent the whole time up on the platform talking bout Kamla “Kyat”!
Love this article
I’ve said it before… We can’t lose our bearings in this overheated political season. Stay calm and trust your common sense people 😉
As usual, I love you writing.
Agreed but there are times one can show themselves as worthy base on character to dispel rumours that will permeate the atmosphere and not be your own undoing with vapsical and meaningless utterances.
It eh have no safe ground it is silly season. The lady on record with the pipe and they complaining about a saying that you can choose to misinterpret. We all know what she meant.
Russell Augustus Ramrekarsingh developed the Bamboo and got less votes the next time it have no inroads to make. Focus on us the level headed persons and show us what you plan to do for the country. That is how you will win the election.
My sentiments exactly.
I did feel better knowing that Rowley didn’t make up that quote himself. But it was bizarre and clumsy I thought. Best to stay on safe ground.
When they say My One you feel they care. The saying older than me.
Things to make you go hmmmmmm!!!!
True that and when I first heard the statement I was very much appalled wondering why would you utter something even though it’s not yours it emanated from you and can be used against you in probably crippling your chances of attaining some form of inroad in the enemy camp.
but…DID he in fact kill anything?
to me…that cyat was staggahrin from the start…
If your audience cannot grasp your analogy, then I think you used the wrong one.
So the problem is the audience and not the speaker Russell Russell Anthony Gordon? How many public speakers hand out dictionaries during speeches?
I think there is an issue there if you think about it.
Lasana liburd u is a boss!!! U should b writing kaiso!! U would have been a millionaire
Well said Melina & Annette thumbs UP,tell them tell them,like reading you’ll comments.
Great article Lasana. Keep up the commentary and advice. Your assessment is spot on:-
“Live Wire believes whatever designs the Opposition Leader may or may not have on the Prime Minister’s cat and whichever willing waistline he happens to wine on during the bacchanal season pales in comparison to the PP’s rape of the Treasury and routine disrespect of citizens.”
The PPG has taken a 15 second comment from an hour long speech made by Rowley, in which we were informed of the nepotism, thievry and widespread corruption by the PPG. Why don’t they address the issues raised by Rowley? Because they have no answer, so they decide to use their old trick of trying to distract the nation from the pressing issues at hand.
Well done!
Oh My!.. Well said indeed .. great piece!!!
Dr Rowley,stay up,stay FOCUS on the ISSUES,get the FACTS & drop it on them,Kamliar & the CABAL want to distract us from the real ISSUES,Like CORRUPTION,Nepotism,& BRIBERY.The population is standing with YOU GOD BLESS.
The UNC supporters will never support the PNM. So if you do not vote because of that you never had intention to vote the PNM.
You should not forget Joann, but this is exactly the kind of thing the UNC will not let their supporters forget so that they will indeed forget everything else….
So let me get it I should 4get everything that happy in this country the past 5 years because of that saying? My Pastor say it all the time to illustrate when he says how we should not live.
Well said!!!!
“All the same, Rowley is well advised to leave the witty soundbites to characters like Jack Warner and Anil Roberts. Speak to us like intelligent adults, Opposition Leader, not as though we are drunken patrons in a talk tent or comedy festival.” Correck is right!
“All the same, Rowley is well advised to leave the witty soundbites to characters like Jack Warner and Anil Roberts. Speak to us like intelligent adults, Opposition Leader, not as though we are drunken patrons in a talk tent or comedy festival.” Exactly right!
Good to go!!!
Perhaps. I’m not sure if there is the same disgust with the Gov’t as at the height of the Section 34 controversy. But I think the Gov’t is still pretty unpopular.
The site migration had not taken place earlier this week. Hopefully it will be fine now.
I can…too hilarious
” Trinidad and Tobago decided that it wanted a change of Government two and a half years ago, when thousands of citizens took to the street in outrage at sneaky Section 34. All the PNM leadership had to accomplish between then and the 2015 General Election was not to say or do anything stupid enough to make them change their minds. ” This is somewhat optimistic don’t you think Lasana? I still say the diehards were not moving an inch even back then….but you’re right, seems like Rowley is shooting himself in the foot….what was he thinking….?
Er, thanks for analysing the kyat and rottweiler, kamla and keith kalumny for us, Mr Liburd. what a katastrophe. too many kow- towers and kuchoorists. Keep it klean.
I don’t see how Stacy takes this as a statement against all women, it was specifically directed at Kamla…as bad as it was, it was not an attack on all women…but perhaps Stacy feels this personally because she identifies with Kamla, something I cannot do….not after all she has done…
I have been on Wired868 since earlier and never got any errors… just telling you….why do you think some people will not be able to see the link though?
“Female solidarity” indeed… somehow I think she doesn’t know what that means.
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Rowley, I hope you’re singing the song: I shoulda known better….especially this part, to your supporters, “Can you forgive me?”
Please note, I am not asking Rowley to beg forgiveness because I think he has insulted women in general, because clearly that is not what he did….but he must realise that with his continued shenanigans, that he is giving the sitting government fodder for their campaign against the PNM….does he really want to hand them the election on a platter or whip them soundly like they deserve?
I don’t want to get into a cat fight or a dog fight over this, and for sure I am as sober as they come as I haven’t had a drink of this or that for a while, but what I will say, soberly, no matter what dog bark or cat meow is this. We need to lead by example and one bad turn does not necessarily deserve another. They need to behave with a lot more class, all of them. We want a statesman (hope the women not offended) to represent us not two wajanks. Give us a break and raise the standard of politicking in the country nah man.
As long as Dr Rowley sticks to his plan no apology but stick to the ISSUES I believe as one of the 26%/36% I do not intend to alter my thinking. I am quite aware of that Fiddlers Chant I also listened to speech and the context of how that was said. TIT for TAT BUTTER for FAT You Kill me RAT I will Kill your CAT. If your head is in the GUTTER there will be all sorts of interpretation of what he said. The Media Must Learn To Believe That People Have A Mind Of Their Own.