“For all our multiculturalism, we really have succumbed to the danger of our group-think single stories. For all our racial harmony and ‘diversity-in-fete’, we exist in single-story social silos which are almost always at breaking point with one myth of the other: de UNC and Kamla tief; de PNM and …
Read More »PNM condemns “racist” Kamla jibe, after Opposition Leader calls Rowley an “oreo”
The Trinidad and Tobago government has condemned Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar for a “racist attack” on Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley, after she referred to the prime minister as an “oreo” during a public event on Monday. Persad-Bissessar made the remark while suggesting that Rowley was owned and controlled by …
Read More »Dr Farrell: Taking Responsibility; why the Petrotrin disaster is a very Trini malaise that may be repeated
“So the logical question is: why don’t our governments fix the state enterprise governance system? The answer is partly because it sustains political patronage and corruption, partly because it buys off the trade unions, and partly because of inertia—fixing things that don’t appear to be broken simply isn’t worth the …
Read More »Dear Editor: Trade unions are irrelevant, OWTU couldn’t even shut down Petrotrin on day of ‘rest and reflection’
“The OWTU could not even get its own members to shut down Petrotrin for last Friday’s ‘day of rest and reflection’. The diminishing influence of trade unions implies that the majority of citizens see them for what they in fact are: a divisive and dangerous lobby which is concerned only …
Read More »Dear Editor: Petrotrin workers must not suffer alone, let public enquiry root out executive crooks
“The workers must not however be the only or even the first victims of the collapse and closure of the refinery. “We, the taxpayers need reassurance that the architects of this financial disaster are made to pay a price commensurate with the scale of their failures—be they directors or Cabinet …
Read More »Reinventing Petrotrin: Rowley shares government’s plans for state-owned oil company
“I ask you to recall that in January 2017, in an address to the nation, I invited you to turn your attention to the troubling state of affairs at Petrotrin… “It is with mixed feelings, one of sadness and of resolve that I return to this issue today… Inevitably we …
Read More »Come to work! Marlene warns workers to ignore “irrational and irresponsible” union leaders
“The Minister [Marlene Mc Donald] wishes to discourage citizens from taking such irresponsible and injudicious action and in particular to remind Public Service employees that, as a rule, persons employed in the essential services are prohibited from withholding their services whether or not in sympathy with institutions in which they …
Read More »Dear Editor: Who is really responsible for Petrotrin?! Khan, Rowley and Imbert have dirty hands
“One would swear that [Franklin] Khan’s government had just come into office and didn’t have a clue as to what is going on; that Petrotrin was some runaway horse whose directors and management did what they wanted. “[…] All of these projects were started during the chairmanship of Malcolm Jones, …
Read More »Dear Editor: PM Rowley can’t count Indians; Dr Mahabir disputes claim of 50% Indian gov’t
“According to Government’s CSO population survey in 2011, Indians consist of 35 percent of the population, the largest ethnic group in the country. Comprising 26 percent in the government, Indian ministers are, therefore, underrepresented and do not find a proportionate ‘equal place’ in Rowley’s PNM administration.” In the following Letter to the …
Read More »TTPS: Text 482-GARY for serious crime; Commissioner takes over hotline numbers
New Commissioner of Police, Gary Griffith, has created a new hotline for serious crime, which is meant to supersede traditional TTPS public numbers such as 800-TIPS. In a release by the Police Service’s Corporate Communications Unit, citizens were asked to send a text or WhatsApp message to 482-GARY (4279) if …
Read More »Dear Editor: PNM’s race-tinged ‘sari skit’ was exploited by gender feminists and critics too
“[…] The sari skit is also being used by the gender feminists—who must be distinguished from equity feminists and women’s activists—to drum up support for their cause. “Just like the politicians using race codes, this brand of feminist wants to create fear, with men as the demonised group, by raising …
Read More »Dear Editor: Floodwaters, People Power and the Legacy of Mis-development
“Some persons will criticise the actions of the residents, and they may be quite right in finding the water-dousing problematic. But there are bigger issues to be addressed. “If people find that the actions of a few residents were not the best, then they should also consider that the emotions …
Read More »