“Minister [Anthony] Garcia, are the ‘shattered bones [in the] right elbow’ of Shareefa Ali and Chris Khan’s 9-year-old son–injuries sustained, as reported in the 3 February, 2017 Trinidad Guardian, as a result of a fight initiated by a bully and which required surgery—a ‘part of growing up’? “Is being ‘hit …
Read More »STREET VIBES: Backward Garcia must go if we are to go forward
The old adage “If yuh cyah beat them, join them” can be heard loud and clear behind the latest statement by that dinosaur OJT who has somehow found himself at the helm of education in Trinidad and Tobago. Instead of seeking to find creative ways of treating with the Ministry …
Read More »NOT CONDEMNING: The PNM and UNC have failed on crime and sexual harassment; but we are also culpable
If ever there was an under-performing country, it is Trinidad and Tobago. We have under-performed in every area of development and the PNM and the UNC are equally responsible. Both parties have demonstrated an astounding reluctance to collaborate. Even on the occasion of the achievement of Independence, so great was …
Read More »Transparency needed! Dumas, Hart and Raymond urge Carmona to heed Uff’s procurement advice
“[…] Contracts, particularly large-scale ones, should not be awarded without elementary transparency so that the public can be assured of straight dealings. The appointment of the Procurement Regulator, albeit an employment contract, will be one of the most critical contract awards in the history of our Republic.” The following letter, signed by Afra Raymond, Reginald Dumas and …
Read More »NOT CONDEMNING… Do the PM and the GoRTT see men as more equal than women?
When there is no law against sexual harassment, those engaged in such activities are in fact fully protected to continue their wrongdoing. This is the stark reality in Trinidad and Tobago today. There are few policies and no legislation to provide redress to the victims of sexual harassment. Harassers can …
Read More »Discussion: Does Rowley’s offer of drinks to Faine merit a national conversation?
In a recent TV6 interview entitled “All Things Considered” and meant to be a mid-term review of Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley’s administration, there was a brief exchange between the Prime Minister and reporter Faine Richards. Faine Richards: Prime Minister, I’d like to move the conversation to a more social climate; …
Read More »Do churches condone domestic violence? Can Christian spouses continue to turn the other cheek?
“In conversations with a couple of Christian girlfriends about my situation, I discovered that their Christian husbands were also physically and emotionally abusive. And in October of this year, I met another young woman at a Christmas event who admitted that her Christian husband was also guilty of abuse but …
Read More »Fryea’s Advice: Does your priest or pastor prey? It’s time to confront sex abuse in church
In a recent address to our nation, Prime Minister Keith Rowley encouraged us as a people to do our part in curbing criminal activities in our country. As a result of that clarion call, I have decided to shine a light on a dark issue that has been affecting our …
Read More »SALAAM: Beetham’s urban violence: can we kill our birds of prey with a big stick?
I would have liked to write a comical or even a satirical piece but Mr Live Wire has a patent on those types of columns. And, frankly, I don’t think the Editor would have allowed anything I wrote in that vein to be so much as edited for publication, far …
Read More »Why we elect the leaders we do; a former journalist looks in the mirror—and cringes!
“So what is it about Trinidad and Tobago that results in our putting corrupt politicians in office election after election? It is, arguably, the fact that we are too simple to care and perhaps the fact that we are a ‘laissez-faire’ people.” Former political reporter Akilah Holder shares her concerns about the …
Read More »Dem and us! Beetham protests and societal inequality from a historical perspective
I do not write for everyone. As a matter of fact, I am well aware that I cannot. I am committed to confronting every aspect of who we are, even the ugliness which we pretend we can ignore. Our general acceptance of the notion of subordinate cultural groups and communities—even …
Read More »Fryea’s Advice: Martin Luther’s fire put out by peace and safety? No protests from Protestants?
I can’t hear you, brothers and sisters; your silence is deafening. It is a source of great concern to me that, in our very active pro-march and protesting society, I am hearing nothing about any plans for any churches to commemorate the great event that took place on 31 October …
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