“The Prime Minister’s decision to refer, or not refer, allegations to the President—who in turn is constitutionally charged with appointing a tribunal to formally investigate such allegations—is itself an intrusion into judicial independence and the usual separation of powers. “To then have a Court review the Prime Minister’s exercise of …
Read More »Demming: Until PNM and UNC unite on crime, we are all sitting ducks
The societal breakdown around us is palpable. Everywhere you turn there is chaos, indiscipline and manifestations of a society about to implode. Once you leave your home, your senses are assaulted by aggressive driving, loud music, lack of courtesy and piles of garbage. These assaults are carried out by people …
Read More »Daly Bread: Crooks, mooks and jooks; the choice between corruption and incompetence
I have emphasised in these columns that we cannot expect our country to come out of its steep, continuous and frequently murderous decline if we continue, as I recently put it, with ‘poor governance, pursuit of failed policy, inability to vary something that is not working and official petulance when …
Read More »Dear Editor: T&T Bee Industry is Dying; here’s how to save it
“Consumers are also choosing contraband honey over higher-quality, pricier local honey, either because they are not interested in quality or because they simply cannot afford it. Beekeepers should not assume that there are enough sufficiently patriotic consumers to purchase their honey just because they see a local apiary number.” The …
Read More »Demming: Peddle hope not despair; T&T needs reassurance from Prime Minister
Sometimes a song, phrase or expression lodges itself in your mind as if on repeat play. The one that is in my mind is the recent statement by former CEO of SWMCOL, Ronald Roach, which was reported in the Trinidad Guardian on 7 July. “We have not placed sufficient emphasis …
Read More »Oropune Residents: Colleen Holder has our unwavering support in face of intimidation
“As a community, our non-tolerance of intimidation and harassment is unequivocal. Ms [Colleen] Holder has our unwavering support and no resource will be spared to pursue and apprehend the culprits…” The following Letter to the Editor, which condemns the threats and criticism levelled at Oropune resident and former TV6 news anchor Colleen …
Read More »Noble: The deafening sound of silence; Colleen’s cry exposes the hypocrisy all around us
In the mid-60s, Paul Simon wrote: “And in the naked light I saw/ten thousand people maybe more/ people talking without speaking/people hearing without listening/ people writing songs that voices never share/and no one dared disturb the sound of silence..” These lines are about us, our crime situation and the impertinent …
Read More »Dear Editor: Is Rowley hiding Smith sexual harassment report so disgraced MP qualifies for pension?
“It is certain that both [Darryl] Smith and the Prime Minister are aware that once the issue is postponed sufficiently, and this disgraced legislator is allowed to remain in office for five unbroken years, he will automatically qualify for a Pension paid for by the taxpayers of approximately $8,900 per …
Read More »Noble: How to create a ‘hotspot’ 101; why HDC must do right by Oropune and other developments
Like a socially awkward dinner guest who knocks down the glass of water, Colleen Holder and her committee have disrupted the myth of public housing management. Oropune Gardens is not a den of ‘do-nothings’ who live off the public purse. The residents want to live there and have created several …
Read More »Daly Bread: Police forays in upscale territory means crime iceberg beginning to surface
Last week I examined the promise of Minister of National Security, Stuart Young, that there will be charges and “big fish being taken down in the next set of operations before year’s end.” I expressed skepticism about this promise for two reasons, one of which was my concern that the …
Read More »Dear Editor: Inaction from Lyons and HDC is allowing crime to spiral at Oropune Gardens!
“The blame for the spiralling crime in the community rests with the HDC. They are fully aware that they are not enforcing the rules that will allow the community to remain safe. “[…] Illegal occupancy, use of unoccupied / vandalised units, poor street lighting, poor lighting in car parks and …
Read More »Dear Editor: I was disappointed to pass for Success Laventille; why we must broaden view on education
“On results day, they handed me this slip and I discovered I did not pass for my first choice or second choice. I passed for Success Laventille Composite School. “I felt disappointed in my results and I even felt disappointed about other people getting what I thought was better results.” …
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