Guest Columns

Crime Watch takes another victim

Today, Lael, my 17-month-old daughter, saw her first dead body. I always thought it would happen after she had learned to ride her tricycle; certainly after she learned to spell. But Fate had other plans. You might think I live in a rough neighbourhood or maybe that, without considering my …

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Jack, Kamla and Erasmus

Erasmus’ 400-years-old essay “The Praise of Folly” offers us quite an interesting vantage point from which to view the overall performance of the Kamla Persad-Bissessar administration to date. But for the moment, I wish only to bring to public notice, a short passage from this work that I believe will …

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Daddy daycare

According to a study published in the month of September, in the proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, I can now officially consider myself emasculated. Well to quote the study anyway: “Dads who spend time with their children have lower levels of testosterone than single guys…. suggesting family men …

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To Japan with love: disaster before dishonor

Friday 20 May 4.30pm, City Gate, Port of Spain: A red-band maxi pulls into an empty space. People push, shove and elbow; human nature… expected and even accepted! 21 September, 6.00pm news report, Karachi, Pakistan: a Pakistani air force helicopter hovers overhead, casting rations to marooned flood victims. People scuffle …

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