“[…] In the news just recently, we had a case of a sitting MP evading a collection agency over a TT$600,000 debt. This is in addition to him having an outstanding defamation order in the amount of TT$500,000. Another aspirant to public office has multiple defamation judgements pending against and …
Read More »Dear Editor: Calypso is not dying—it’s demonstrating its adaptability
“[…] The calypso artform, like other artforms, has […] always been constantly evolving. Although I am an elderly person, I was quite impressed with many of the calypsos sung by many young calypsonians this year. “I particularly like Yung Bredda’s We Rise. He gave an absolutely superlative performance at the …
Read More »Dear Editor: Some of Trump’s goals might sound good, but be wary of his true intentions
“[…] Take any of the problems that US president Donald Trump promised to address and there is always a degree of positivity in them. For example, the situation of immigration where he promised to stop the droves of immigrants entering the USA through illegal channels. “[…] But while we may …
Read More »Dear Editor: Demming’s critique of Dr Rowley’s legacy is misleading and unfair
“[…] Dennise Demming, like many others, highlights Dr Keith Rowley’s TT$87,847 pension while juxtaposing it against the TT$3,000 pension of senior citizens. This comparison is both disingenuous and misleading. “The salaries and benefits of public officials, including the prime minister, are determined by the Salaries Review Commission—an independent body tasked …
Read More »Demming: Dr Rowley leaves disappointing legacy, despite “attempts to rewrite history”
Congratulations to Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley on his departure from Whitehall and return to Mason Hall. His administration leaves behind a new airport terminal in Tobago, perhaps its final claim to success. As he transitions to retirement with a TT$87,847 monthly pension, the citizens who entrusted him with leadership …
Read More »Dear Editor: Time to bury thongs; let Carnival costumes return to bikini and beads
“[…] The modern thong and beads era, while bold and unapologetic, often leans too far into the realm of impracticality. The disappearing thong, in particular, vanishes in part into crevices of unknown depth, leaving little to the imagination and often sacrificing comfort for shock value. “The bikini, on the other hand, has …
Read More »MSJ: T&T must stand up to US bullies; don’t surrender sovereignty to Trump/ Rubio
“[…] The MSJ is calling the Donald Trump/ Marco Rubio position for what it is. An act of an imperialist bully. “This is the 200-year-old Monroe Doctrine on steroids. That doctrine underpins the belief by the US that every country and every individual in this hemisphere is subject to US …
Read More »Fire Tender: If you know you doh give a damn; Leave she alone!
Calypsonian Fire Tender, aka singer-songwriter Gillian Moore, offers a suggestion to men who pretend to love women in order to get sex with her Carnival 2025 ‘womanisfesto’. Leave She Alone is arranged by Phil Hill, and includes drummer Gerard Rajkumar, bassist Joanna Hussain, guitarist John Hussain, and jazz horn player …
Read More »Dear Editor: Political parties must understand value of experience alongside fresh faces
“[…] With the current leadership transition announced by Dr Keith Rowley, despite having new faces in the likes of Kareem Marcelle and Christian Birchwood for the Laventille seats and not-so-new faces in MPs Terrence Deyalsingh, Faris Al-Rawi, Stuart Young, Nyan Gadsby-Dolly—who all have at least 10 years of experience under …
Read More »Dear Editor: Does Dr Browne’s withdrawal show politics places loyalty over competence?
“[…] Dr Amery Browne’s record speaks for itself… His recent withdrawal from the nomination process for Diego Martin West once again highlights the internal dynamics of party politics, where decisions sometimes prioritize strategy over proven competence. “As citizens, we must consider the implications of such decisions. Are we prioritising loyalty …
Read More »Dear Editor: Pension structure unfairly favours high-ranking public servants
“[…] The Prime Minister’s Pension Act […] allows high-ranking public servants to secure pensions at the peak of their earnings—an advantage unavailable to the average citizen, whose pensions are typically calculated on lower salary scales and subject to strict caps. “This is a system that has been kept out of the …
Read More »Dear Editor: We can’t arrest our way out of crime; T&T must pull at the roots
“[…] Arresting and imprisoning individuals removes them from society, preventing them from committing more crimes while incarcerated. But there are hundreds more to take their place, who are likely to never face arrest or imprisonment. “Research shows that while punitive measures can temporarily reduce crime, they often fail to address …
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