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Just when you think Trinidad and Tobago’s politics has lost the capacity to surprise. Out jumps another revelation that seems so ludicrous and unconscionable that one does not know whether to laugh or cry.
But enough about Jack Warner’s stunning announcement that he can find 40 people willing to lose their deposits for his ILP party at the 2015 General Elections.
Has anyone heard about the resignation of Justice Sebastian Ventour from the Integrity Commission, due to its suspicious “exoneration” of Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar?
(Courtesy i95.5FM)
It turns out that President Anthony Carmona, a man who is allegedly happy to receive a $28,000 housing allowance while staying in a State house, might not be best equipped to find just five people capable of lasting much more than a year in a body with goals as lofty as the Integrity Commission. As the old people say: Sheep don’t lime with goat.
Once again, Persad-Bissessar’s increasingly desperate attempts to wriggle free of probing questions in general and the “emailgate” investigation in particular comes into focus.
Rowley’s jaw-dropping stack of emails is not the only thing that seems to be unsettling “Tanty Kamla.”
With the Opposition party rubbing its hands in anticipation of today’s “Private Members Day” in Parliament, the People’s Partnership responded by expelling Rowley from Parliament on the grounds that “emailgate” was a hoax—an action that violate the spirit of the constitution even if they were right, but is even worse since they were not.
The PP then tried to declare Warner as Opposition Leader so as to field questions from the ILP boss rather than tackle the PNM’s expected onslaught on the Petrotrin scandal. And, when that also failed along with the Integrity Commission’s hollow so-called exoneration, the Prime Minister claimed to be unwell.
Undoubtedly, there is no shortage of quacks wielding fake doctorates, within close proximity to the Prime Minister, who could sign her sick-note.
(Courtesy Trinidad Guardian)
Persad-Bissessar did not mention Parliament once when she spoke of her ailment. But she made it clear that it would not prevent her from attending the PP’s fifth anniversary celebrations in Macoya on Sunday.
“I will not miss it for anything,” the Prime Minister told the Trinidad Express. “I am looking forward to it… I will take a little rest, doctors have advised that I should take a little rest, and we will be fine.”
Maybe it is time for Trinidad and Tobago to ask itself a question or two: Would a woman with little obvious respect for the law or the opinion of anyone outside of her “My Lime” list be prepared to peacefully step aside as Prime Minister if the polls demand it?
Would a woman who, for the last two years, has avoided ratifying her own post as political leader in the UNC’s internal elections be any more respectful towards the electorate of the two island republic?
Can we expect that a Prime Minister who thinks nothing of putting pressure on independent bodies like the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service, the Director of Public Prosecutions, the Police Complaints Authority and the Integrity Commission could be trusted to leave the Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) in peace?
Who will investigate if there is evidence of voter fraud and irregularities? Jack Russo from ComputerLaw? Justice Zainool Hosein?
Trinidad and Tobago has been on alert for a creeping dictatorship for some time now. But Mr Live Wire has a sneaking suspicion that dictatorship ent creeping anymore. It’s wearing high heels.
Peaceful and optimistic to a fault—not to mention allergic to responsibility—the public has turned its eyes towards a new hero to save the country from political instability: the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service.
If the Police Service is the answer, can you remind me what the question is please?
Mr Live Wire wouldn’t trust the police to find him a Carib in a pub.
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It does stand, hence the two resignations.
How does Moonilal know what the Integrity Commission wants?
https://twitter.com/tv6tnt/status/601897845533184000
Lol! Idk why I expected more from the president either! Clearly I’m an optimist! (Because I refuse to call myself a fool! Lol!)
Yeah. That was a game changer.
I tried to give the Integrity Commission the benefit of the doubt when it first ruled this week Zen. I told myself: You have to accept it Lasana, just like you would have if they ruled the other way…
And then came the resignations.
I’m more mad at myself for expecting something from him.
God knows Zen. Lol. It is nice to be optimistic. But I think President Pussyfoot showed his hand already. As far as I’m concerned, he already proved he is just along for the ride. That and the housing allowance. 🙂
For a former judge. .he has no class…that is poor behavior
Exactly …
you got out voted, you don’t agree with the majority …
So you whine, storm out of the meeting, and then resign the following day and make serious allegations against the other members …
That is very childish behavior …
And Yet Mr. Ventour cannot tell us WHY he beleived the decision was wrong …..
I beleive his reasoning was this :
“I am a PNM, my mother is a PNM, my Father is a PNM, I am voting PNM .. I don’t care what any evidence says, the Integrity Commission must rule in favor of the PNM just like we did in the Basdoe Panday case . Who cares about rules and laws, the Integrity Commission can break rules and laws to persecute innocent people. Look at what we did to Rowley when Patrick asked us to attack him. And we also did the same to Basdeo Panday. If you don’t find the PM and AG guilty, even though all the evidence says they are innocent, I will resign and ridicule you publicly” …
What a tangled web Kamla and her cabal continue to weave.
Why did I expect more from Carmona?
So contrary to what Shelly Ann said, her’s was effective from the 20th May….not 1 June.
Well that settles that.
Just a figure head oui. All the powers we didn’t know about really didn’t exist
“President Anthony Carmona confirms receipt of resignations, from members of the Integrity Commission. The press release reads as follows:
PRESS RELEASE
His Excellency President Anthony Thomas Aquinas Carmona O.R.T.T., S.C., by letter dated May 22, 2015 addressed to the Chairman, of the Integrity Commission, Justice of Appeal Zainool Hosein (Retired) acknowledged receipt of letters of resignation from Justice Sebastien Ventour (Retired), Member and Deputy Chairman of the Integrity Commission and Dr. Shelly Anne Lalchan, Member of the Integrity Commission.
His Excellency the President in accordance with the process of resignation as a Member of the Integrity Commission is informed by Section 6(1) and 6(2) of the Integrity in Public Life Act, Chap.22:01, which states:
“6.(1) A member of the Commission may at any time resign his office by
Instrument in writing addressed to the Chairman who shall forthwith cause
It to be forwarded to the President; and the Chairman may resign his office by
Instrument in writing addressed to the President.
(2) A person shall cease to be a member of the Commission from the date
of the receipt of the instrument by the President .
By virtue of Section 6(2) of the Integrity in Public Life Act, Justice Sebastien Ventour (Retired) has ceased to be a Member and Deputy Chairman of the Integrity Commission as of May 21, 2015. By virtue of the said section, Dr. Shelly-Anne Lalchan ceased to be a Member of the Integrity Commission as of May 20, 2015.
May 22, 2015
OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
Circular Road,
St Ann’s.
So that’s all the Pres going to do?
Well the way they had it I thought was all Steupssss
That’s it? Please tell me more is coming soon.
It’s the President’s Office confirming that Lalchan & Ventour resigned
Same resignations..I just saw the press release
Yea Greer, leggo the real ting..lol…(I like how we hold people responsible for info they don’t have)
Same ones Greer?
https://twitter.com/tv6tnt/status/601873692122034178
“I will not miss it for anything,” the Prime Minister told the Trinidad Express. “I am looking forward to it… I will take a little rest, doctors have advised that I should take a little rest, and we will be fine.”
Her Royal Highness The PM is now referring to herself as “WE” Seems like the PP has turned to WEE WEE.
It is well known that Zainool Hosein has been anti PNM since before independence.
thank you for revelation sweet jesus
Let us not lose sight of the fact that we are Trinis talking “publicly” about what currently ails us – and what may ail us if we are not careful. Lasana is alluding to some hidden damage that is being done but I think we have to be thankful for the entirely salutary therapy that is Mr Live Wire’s pieces. As long as we permit no animals to be more equal than others, we need not worry too much, I think, about the emergence of an Orwellian 1984.
Well done Justice Ventour
Yeop, and that’s why we have to be the real watchdogs in this venture. Even with Dr Rowley we can’t sit and accept that ‘he’s not like that so we safe’. Not at all. We have to be ready to call it as we see it. I’m committing, as a PNM supporter, to call spade a spade. It’s scary when I think about what we came so close to, but we all have to accept some responsibility for what we just endured based on past behaviours.
I really hope Carmona says nothing.
He can only make it worse!
That is correct Richard, I cannot deny that he did. However many of those vying for another chance in the same PNM all sat still and left Dr Rowley to dry. Not another single voice said yes there is immoral and unethical practices going on. Co I give him full credit but I not going blink, eyes wide open
Actually, Stephen, we can have some hope that it’s going to be different with this PNM. Dr. Rowley is only 1 of a handful of politicians who stood up to their govt, WHILE they were in power, against allegations of corruption. He got fired for that. Not many have taken that position when they had the chance. You cannot deny that.
Every body aligned to d pnm trying to delay this report untill after election.we know for sure d emails are false .what else do we need to find out
D truth
You need to know that the Living God has people on this earth who are honest
According to the Opposition Leader the husband of the person who blew the whistle on $60 million wire transfer was also killed, so we have entered the realm of an awakening to the need to protect our community organizations and institutions that reflect the collective norms, mores, rules, regulations and laws. When our history is written a lot of credit will be given to this regime for showing us how easily our institutions of governance can be manipulated, and this MAY give rise to a reformation of sorts.
That I agree with Lasana many of us believe it will be different if another party is in power, but that is a ridiculous hope. Many are rooting for the PNM but we have no evidence in recent history that is would be any different.
They say the devil knows the bible better than most saints. I am happy too for the people who have stood up to power Richard Zen O’Brien.
But what do we do to ensure that there are more and not less of such persons? The person who alleged blew the whistle on NGC was fired.
You might say that the system works because she came forward and a newspaper carried the story.
I’m saying the fact that she was fired, NGC was barely inconvenienced and the PPG tried to pass legislation to jail any journalist who does a similar story in the future means that the system is falling apart.
And, yes Stephen, I think we are in deeper trouble than we realise. It won’t be the last we see of bills like the Cyber Crime Bill. And, if the PPG is piloting it, they will plan better next time.
Please don’t think that I feel we can give power to the PNM and turn our backs and expect the best from them either. We need a mentality change no matter who is in charge.
But there is a lot to be worried about with this lot.
Lasana ,,,
This is the problem facing me as a voter…
Watching people defend the deputy dpp, and keith rowley right now is scary. scary …
basically, if the PNM wins, with the help of the DPP and Police, Keith Rowley will have the power to arrest, and jail anyone he wants, with NO evidence …..
the People of T&T are fighting to GIVE the PNM that level of power….
they WANT to see Mr. Ramlogan and the current PM in jail, with zero evidence ..
and they are all convinced of guilt…
Keith Rowley has the power to speak any lie and make it reality ….
Hmmm Richard if I am correct (Lasana please correct me if I am not) Lasana’s anaolgy of animal farm means that a dictatorship can be in full effect and not appear that way until it is way too late. So what you may be perceiving as the system “working” is actually signs that it is not or at best slowly being eroded. Even if I am wrong I agree with Lasana, the reason things are the way they are is because all politicians past and up to this day know that the system works in their favour and that of the elite few. That’s why not a single one of them has changed anything to take power out of their hands.
With help from the US DOJ
Yes it worked… That’s why we are not in a dictatorship right now. ‘This’ didn’t fail because Kamla and Anand decided to stop, it failed because they couldn’t get past the ‘checks and balances’. So while it’s not perfect-we did dodge a bullet-there’s a lot worked here. Again, Ish and Steve are not safe..why?? The System (people) rose up against Section 34. Its not over 🙂
Ish and Steve were very safe when the PNM was in power…
John Jeremy dropped all charges against Ish and Steve ….
Anand Ramlogan re-liad those charges in 2010 …
Mr. Ramlogan did not re-lay the charges, Ish and Steve would not NEED section 34 ….
I’m sure someone will share Carmona’s statement as soon as he issues it. My money is on Leslie-Ann Boisselle 🙂
Has the president issued a statement as yet?
Remember we are only dealing with the stuff that came into the public domain eh Richard Zen O’Brien. That’s first of all.
I’m not convinced that there is much evidence of the system working at all either.
Take Rabindra Moonan. From CEPEP contractor to chairman of CAL board. He was sacked after complaints went up and Minister of Finance agreed he wasn’t up to it.
Now he is chairman of HDC, which is an influential, multi-million dollar corporation.
Does the system really work?
We can ask Ish and Steve too.
Thats all involved in strengthening the current system…the three names i mentioned have not been victimised…there were attempts, but the system ‘protected’ them. Their integrity helped too. So we have a good start to build on. The current system worked…Kamla and Anand have not won.
If victimisation rather than justice is meted out to people who stand up, it will happen less regularly. And those bodies will stop being attractive to patriots.
And they will eventually get the regulatory bodies that mirror the government.
Lasana..That’s true…fortunately for us these clowns were not smart enough to try to ‘create’ the dictatorship in the long term. They saw power and grabbed at it forgetting that there were still honest people around. It’s on us not to ensure the system is strengthened.
The only thing the Integrity Commission seems to do well is fail catastrophically and regularly. Perhaps it should be abolished.
Only in our minds Lasana Liburd only in our minds
But we should also appreciate that the great dictatorship did not happen in a day. Not even the fictional Animal Farm.
Where will this road take us? Is Trinidad and Tobago exempt from the type of government that grows from such a scenario?
While there cause for concern given the behaviours of this gov’t, if we step back a bit we should consider ourselves very fortunate and appreciative. For there to be a dictatorship, a gov’t must have control of ALL branches of government. A dictatorship is not only about actions of the gov’t, but reach and control of that gov’t.
As we have seen, this gov’t-though they came close-they were NOT able to control all of our institutions. People fought back, David West, Ivor Archie, Roger Gaspard and many other, stood up to to protect the justice system against a rogue fmr AG. We are very fortunate for that.
We should be appreciative that these investigative institutions are actually in place to protect us against abuse from people in high office. Though there were attempts to infiltrate these investigative bodies, the fact that the institutions were there made it very difficult the sweep the issues away. After yesterday I am much less concerned about a dictatorship; the System and the individuals in the System stood up, bucked the trend and I believe we are now winning.
So we have two immediate duties, strengthen the current Systems in place, and ensure procedures are in place to make sure do not have situations like Hosein of the IC being placed in those positions. I also agree with Mr Live Wire about concerns the EBC..we have to watch that one closely.
Agree with everything here, the dictatorship isnt creeping, its wearing high heel shoes, we just have to hope and pray she and this PP Government don’t plunge this country into “Guyana” style protests when the dust have settled, the ending was boss though “wouldn’t trust a policeman to find me a Carib in a pub” haha he might bring you back a Stag and say “Well at least its a man’s beer” right (wink wink)
I love that analogy, Lasana Liburd. I will add the Trinis watching on TV cussing the people in their cars for not jumping out and blocking the shoulder. We do need a mindset change, encouraging the ones trying might be a very small start.