Letters to the Editor

“[…] India, in the 1990s, replaced the colonial names of its cities with their pre-colonial ancestral names. That country knows something about self-respect. “Christopher Columbus’ three ships on our nation’s coat of arms is a veritable symbol of the genocide and brutal barbarism that was ushered into the Americas with the arrival …

“[…] While I have no issues with our national emblems being reconsidered and redesigned, because that kind of thinking is long overdue, my quibble lies with how the decision was announced and arrived at—though not in that order. “[…] It also raises questions of oversight since it is usually the …

“[…] It is my view therefore that a decision to alter the Coat of Arms should not have been made by the political directorate at its party convention taking into account the implications for such a change, which is not the responsibility of any political party, but a responsibility of …

“[…] Imagine a system where those who have received fines for minor offenses, such as traffic violations or littering, or who have been convicted of petty crimes, are given the opportunity to contribute positively to their communities through community service. “This initiative would not only alleviate the financial burden on …

“[…] What appears to have escaped the attention of many of our law-abiding citizens is the relationship between many violent crimes and the white-collar variety. “The foot soldiers and their gang leaders do not have the wherewithal to corrupt law-enforcement officials and, indeed, other key state officials and/or to import illegal drugs and illegal firearms. …

“[…] We never got an explanation from the EBC as to why they insisted on re-naming Arima South [as, now, Malabar/ Mausica] and feel comfortable with this outrageous decision. “[…] Why not apply the same principle in other districts like: Diego Martin Central, Northeast and West, Laventille East and West, …

“[…] The late Basdeo Panday told us that ‘politics has a morality of its own’. That characterisation is certainly true of the practice of politics, well-known for back-stabbing, lying, and hypocrisy, here and indeed everywhere. “[…] But surely there are some areas of national life which should remain uninfected, if …

“[…] More recently, the Opposition Leader suggested that, should her party form the next government, all off-duty police and prison officers will be issued licensed firearms provided by the State.  There are an estimated 7,000 police officers and over 3,000 prison officers in the country. “Let us, therefore, be very …

“[…] Over the last five months, four law enforcement officers were involved in incidents with their licensed firearms.  Three of these were robberies in which two of the officers lost their lives. “The fourth, also resulting in the death of an officer, stemmed from an argument. Two firearms were stolen …

“[…] We are not serious/Very few conscious/So I cannot agree with mih own chorus!…” from the first verse of Dis Place nice by Brother Valentino. “[…] Your silence will not protect you…” Audre Lorde, on the false beliefs and toxic consequences earned from calculated or cowardly silences. “Last call to …

Bring back the old-time days… Do you remember the primary school days when we sat in the dusty school yard under the tambrand, tree, the downs tree, the immortelle tree, the padoo tree, or whatever tree that was in the yard while teacher Percy preached hellfire and brimstone and brought …

    “[…] A true Gens de Arime, Raymond was loved and appreciated for his kind and generous spirit. “He was well known in Arima and surrounding districts in the entertainment fraternity having managed at one time the number one disco in the east. He was a painter, market vendor, …