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The pride of Trinidad and Tobago is coming home! Three cheers to the Chairman Emeritus of ANSA McAL, Dr Anthony N Sabga, ORTT.
Or, as his beloved staff probably refers to him: Chairman Emeritus of ANSA McAL, Dr Anthony N Sabga, ORTT.
But you can call me: Chairman Emeritus of ANSA McAL, Dr Anthony N Sabga, ORTT.
(Copyright The Simpsons)
(God help the receptionist who has to get his entire title out before Sabga gets to the elevator).
Sabga has long been Trinidad and Tobago’s outside man. And by that Mr Live Wire means that he helps himself to our goodies, never invites us to his house, and only sporadically leaves us some money on the dresser.
But, this morning, good ole Tony warmed our hearts by putting in a bid to purchase the country’s highest national award, the Order of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago Medal, which was awarded posthumously to late union leader Adrian Cola Rienzi but is now up for sale on eBay
“ANSA McAL has decided to place the bid of US$25,000 to ensure that this historic piece of Trinidad and Tobago,” stated a release from the company, “is duly returned to our nation in preservation of its bestowed honour and dignity.”
Mr Live Wire cannot confirm that Slinger Francisco heard about Sabga’s generosity and immediately changed his name to “The Mighty Order of the Republic of T&T” in the hope that the business tycoon would pay his medical bills.
Well, since the “Mighty Sparrow” also has a ORTT, I suppose he should make Sabga an offer for it. But I digress.
“Our Chairman Emeritus of ANSA McAL, Dr Anthony N Sabga, ORTT, was himself a proud recipient of the Order of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago (ORTT) medal in 2011,” stated the ANSA McAL release, “so we understand the significance and patriotic pride to have such an honour bestowed upon any citizen.”
And Sabga would be damned if a fellah who was bidding for Star Wars collectables last week, somehow ends up with a replica of his jewellery.
Sabga’s move in the eBay market should be a relief for President Anthony Carmona, who said the act of putting the “sacrosanct” ORTT for sale, offended his patriotism and exposed a raw nerve.
“I am very much distraught at the prospect of someone peddling the symbol of our national honour and pride,” stated a release from Carmona. “The Order of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago is not a rag doll that is disposable…
“My humble admonition and entreaty to whoever is responsible for the intended sale of the ORTT medal, You cannot do this to us.”
Lord Pussyfoot ent get so vex since Rachel Price did a Joan Rivers impression on his wife’s attire.
Mr Live Wire cannot confirm whether, in an effort to capitalise on Carmona’s outspoken mood, he asked Prez: You not angry about Marlene too?
(Copyright Andy Hypolite/Trinidad Guardian)
And Live Wire certainly cannot confirm whether Carmona replied: Why? She cut my housing allowance?!
In any case, let it be known that Trinidad and Tobago is a proud, independent nation that is not for sale! Unless, of course, the prospective buyer is SIS, OAS, FIFA, Ish or Duprey.
Mr Live Wire cannot confirm that Nobel Prize winning writer VS Naipaul heard that an unabashed, hard-nosed capitalist was purchasing an award given to one of the country’s renowned union leaders and laughed himself unconscious.
Pay him no mind, Tony. Haters gonna hate.
We love you now. We even love CNC3 again, although we really wish they would keep their fake babylon off real crime scenes.
CNC3 Crime Watch host Ian Alleyne (right) is taken for medical treatment by a policeman.
(Copyright CNC3)
One question though, Tony.
Far be it for a small businessman like Mr Live Wire to give pointers to an experienced business magnate like yourself. But don’t you think you should have waited until after you won the bid for the ORTT before announcing its value to you and the country?
Sabga might be a great businessman but he probably starts sweating profusely and rubbing his head when he is dealt a jack in All Fours.
Trinidad and Tobago needs to get the ORTT back, if only to prove we can recover misappropriated goods from overseas and Canada in particular. After this test run, Calder Hart is next!
So, fingers crossed that nobody gets any bright ideas—after seeing the publicity generated by this noble effort—and puts in a rival bid of US$25,100.
(Courtesy TV6)
And Mr Live Wire is looking straight at you, TV6! Don’t be on no ranking thing again, eh!
One is one.
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What Mr Live Wire said eh? Lol. Somebody tell me if Insp Alexander or Dominic Kalipersad bid nah? ???
There are folks who collect oddities for no apparent reason as well, they’re just hobbyists.
This was why I originally said Sabga shouldn’t have announced his bid. On the one hand it raises unnecessary expectations at home, also a business “tycoon” placing a bid so publicly could only serve to give the item a more prestigious image and increase interest in it…..that’s why wealthy bidders like to make anonymous bids through professional agents.
I suspect one of two things occurred here, either Sabga wasn’t genuinely going to purchase the item or he made a country bookie error in publicizing his interest.
If you let them know you want something, they will bid against you and make you pay more. Let someone else get it!
Nah boy. Is about 4 bidders. And people in budding war and ting. Emeritus jewellery in high demand!!!
Some old crazy cat lady spending ah lil retirement money entertaining herself on eBay and outbid Sabga yes!
Vernal Damion Cadogan look d ting get 7 bids!!! Price reach 30k!!!!! Take back yuh take back quick quick!!!!
Not for sale or purchase!
Who?
Good story Lasana! I like the way you deal with the ridiculous things that go on in this country of ours!
It so funny it not funny. An established unabashed capitalist buying the ORTT medal from Adrian Cola Rienzi. Sabga just want to make sure the award doesn’t get watered down as a ebay trinket. I guess he didn’t realize it get watered down long time when you have people refusing it left right and center?
He went round a bend in the river and changed his name to Mr. Stone. When last seen he was looking for a Knight’s Companion.
Lasana, I think Naipaul regained consciousness and is probably peeing his pants by now…..
Indeed. Hence new ministers become embroiled in this and quickly lose touch with people, as when they get a taste of the high life, they also lose sense of reality and become complacent.
There is a really great study of the Canadian social/commercial milieu called “The Vertical Mosaic” by John Porter that shows how it works. Politicians become upwardly mobile and as Ministers hobnob with the rich in (Trini examples) Yacht Club, Union Club, Country Club, Magdalena Grand etc and this is where the real decisions are made like collusion on prices of commodities, how far the dollar will be allowed to devalue (de facto devaluation) etc. That supports what you are saying Lasana.
But, as Anthony pointed out, these people do their real business at a different level and well out of sight. That’s the reality.
As always, there are many different talking points here.
Outside man surprise yuh with flowers and you digging around to find the bill. Vernal, allyuh really good yes. Lol.
I learn long time when fellas include you in the rounds by the bar you better hope they eh get in no fight because you will be expected to back them up!
Hahaha. When Bill Cosby buy the rounds it worse than that! ???
The Sabga business
When people complained about the declining quality of the coffee at Rituals, Mario said bluntly that he is not in the coffee business, he is in the MONEY business. So what business is Tony Sabga in again?
Anthropologists teach there is no such thing as a free gift…..ever!
Sabga and his people are commission agents. They buy cheap abroad and sell dear at home. The issue is not his buying it, this is how he made his money. It is when he decides to sell it to the State. It will cost somebody something – tangible or intangible – but it will cost.
But isn’t he making more with the PNM in office? The change in used car policy seemed to have been directly linked to the new foreign car dealership.
This is what I meant by tangible or intangible. Whatever the internet cost, we the people will pay the real cost, one way or the other.
I real happy that they repatriate our Order of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. But I wish people also got hot and bothered about the Black Stalin or the Mighty Sparrow’s medical bills too.
And although President Powers right nice moving letter… I don’t know if he chipping in with Sabga’s costs with eBay. Lol.
Lemme check and see if there is a joint bid from “Tony the Trini Tiger” and “President Pussyfoot” yes. 🙂
Well said.
I’m just intrigued that this causes such deep distress to AnSA McAL,while so many incidents that are much worse happen in the country every single day…. and what’s with the ”Dr’ before his name? It’s not an earned doctoral degree, this is merely an honour conferred by an institution, the use of ‘Dr’ in Sabga’s case is highly inappropriate….
Who is Sabga, Tanya? Do you mean “Chairman Emeritus of ANSA McAL, Dr Anthony N Sabga, ORTT?” 🙂
I know…how dare I be so rude! Out to the canefields for me!
Vernal really pack up his bags and gone with that yes Nicole! Hahaha.
Powers wasn’t vex when Kamla decided to score cheap political points by offering the ORTT to 2 former PMs and breaking all protocols?
That’s what happens when you give awards to people who died so long ago. Does it then mean anything to the family – grandchildren or others further removed?
Yuh know…..yuh have ah damn good point dey yes Nicole Ulerie.
Please members, disregard my last comment!
so you think they’re people kicking down doors to get their hands on an ORTT at USD28K a pop Vernal Damion Cadogan?
Had I been Sabga I would not have publicized my bid until I actually purchased the item.
It’s an auction, a bid is not a sale nor does it necessarily cost anything!
Like Rachael need to do another spoof oui so he could find something serious to discuss.
I meant Powers. Ah done get doltish like them. Lol.
Papers drivel.
Very good Lasana. Lmao!! The ORTT has become a trinket that any Tom,Dick and Tony can qualify for even i should get one just for listening to
It’s interesting. I did an interview with an ex-ops managed for Ansa McAl. The person shared with me that when the company was being set up this same patriot (allegedly) said to employees: “you all want me to send you back to the cane fields” as a threat to them. I can’t recall the proper context but it was his way of enforcing their subservience, an ensuring that they were more productive in delivering profits in the early days of the company.
I did an interview with an ex-ops manager for Ansa McAl. The person shared with me that when the company was being set up this same patriot (allegedly) said to employees: “you all want me to send you back to the cane fields” as a threat to them. I can’t recall the proper context but it was his way of enforcing their subservience, an ensuring that they were more productive in delivering profits in the early days of the company.
Surely Adrian Cola Rienzi would approve if that were true. Methinks… :-/
This was an interview of a former public official for a research project, so I trust the that person’s honesty.
Oh shit… It just occurred to me who Rienzi was hahaha. On typing it, I didn’t grasp the irony myself. Shit.
Lol
Lol…”one is one”. So long I ent hear dat?
but well written of course
smdh
Mr Burns tho….
Pay him no mind Tony, haters gonna hate ????
But tell Powers 28K x 12 months x plenty years have me distraught eh
that is what we all want to know about!
So I guess he had no problem when the previous govt was making ah pappyshow of the IC and offering up the country’s wares for sale to whoever willing to pay? I guess he’s not bothered that the nation’s children are dying in the streets? He’s distraught about a symbol of our country’s honor and pride, REALLY????? LOOK MR. UNEXCELLENT PRESIDENT WHEEL AND COME AGAIN. SO MUCH DAMN CRAP HAPPENING IN THIS COUNTRY AND YOU DISTRAUGHT OVER A PIECE AH METAL? HEAR NAH WHENEVER YOU OPEN YUH MOUTH RECORD WHAT YUH SAYING AND I’M SURE YUH WOULD GIVE YUHSELF A SWIFT KICK IN THE ASS.
Well doh beat around de bush….tell us how you really feel?
Haha @ the FBI investigating the sale of private property
For clarity, as I understand it, the award remains the property of the state unless it is in the possession of the person to whom it was awarded. Since it is no longer in that person’s possession it returns to the state. Not so? This isn’t a car or a house. This is a national award which carries certain protocols and is enacted in law of the republic of Trinidad and Tobago.
In which law book does it say that?! So when you die your award is returned to the state ????
So when it’s awarded posthumously is it only a symbolic award? They have the ceremony then take it back from the family member when the event is over?! Look doh kill me here eh
Well seeming to you is quite irrelevant. And a family member sold it to the coin dealer so that’s thar
This award was given in 2012 ergo Cola never one day had possession of it. By your logic it was never awarded then
The coin dealer was contacted and he said he purchased it from a family member. Jeez. And yes I have very little patience for illogical statements
Which ha no basis or merit in what any actual law states. But feel free to run with that
????? dude. Somebody that makes stuff up as they go along trying to insult you is funny as hell
But the gist of what he was saying is if you get and award and you don’t want it again is should revert to the state according to some imaginary clause in the regulations governing national awards.
Lol. Some places may have such laws, including making the sale of such awards and medals illegal. However, Trinidad and Tobago have no such regulations. It’s pretty easy to find out too; the Constitution and it’s body of laws are available online. Some people jokey yes
Well that is my point…not because you think that it should be illegal means it actually is….This sale might generate a discussion on making it law going forward….but that is quite irrelevant to the matter at hand…but some people just feel because they use big words they smart nah
*snicker*
But look something to suggest at GC tho 🙂
YES!
What a charming man, Keston. One can surmise that judging by ANSA’s huge success, that neo-colonial ‘back to the canefield strategy’ seems to have worked rather well, wouldn’t you say? Now that we have no canefields, that is clearly redundant as a motivator for errant post-independence layabouts. I suggest a ban on Carnival and chutney fetes to this great capitan of industry. Lord knows, we need some drastic neo-neo colonial strategies to snap people out of the torpor. Or more effective, threaten them listen to an hour every day of tape recordings of the life and times of A Sabga.
Why hasn’t an investigation been launched with the help of the foreign merchants? If this award (the property of T&T unless by order to the person so awarded) was stolen or might have been sold to this auctioneer, it may be easy to trace how it got there. If it were the US the FBI would have been on this case long time. Lol
You see this line here..
And Sabga would be damned if a fellah who was bidding for Star Wars collectables last week, somehow ends up with a replica of his jewellery.”
I had to take a break at that point…this is too much hahahaahahahah!!
Ahh, Mr Liburd, thou art exceedingly cynical. The Burnsians amongst us are flush with enough patriotism and er, much money. So here is a chance to foist themselves with even greater chances of accolades by all and sundry, by gifting the nation this treasure. Can we suggest that anyone holding anything valuable to the nation, please put it on ebay and call ANSA to bid, pronto.
Hahaha
The references might be for everyone so I glad you liked them Tanya! 🙂 EBay allows customers to keep identity private.
For instance, the bid made today–presumably by ANSA McAL–was credited to “a***t.”
Ohhh….l see, I’m sure people have suspicions though…..heh heh….the group can’t be that large…just work through who are the people that got the award since it was renamed and narrow down from there….heh heh….
The irony in all of this is stifling indeed.
Oh god, cannot stop laffing…almost peed at the part that said VS Naipaul laughed himself unconscious….does anyone know who is doing the sale on eBay?
Canadian coin collector
goes by the name ‘crawfordcsm’
Love this specially: “”Mr Live Wire cannot confirm that Nobel Prize winning writer VS Naipaul heard that an unabashed, hard-nosed capitalist was purchasing an award given to one of the country’s renowned union leaders and laughed himself unconscious.”
This is gold, did Naipaul really laugh? I can see him doing it too, lol