“The colour of the rulers may darken; the ethnicities might change, blur or merge, but the culture of the power structure remains.” The quote from Jeff Henry in 2008—cited by Kerrigan in the UWI book ‘In The Fires’—explains how we are manipulated, even when we think we are in charge. …
Read More »Daly Bread: The boundaries of Attorneys General; from Cox and Barr to Ramlogan and Al Rawi
Two weeks ago our current Attorney General, Faris Al Rawi, and the former AG, Anand Ramlogan SC, engaged in a public dispute over Mr Ramlogan’s appearance in a case heard in the Privy Council on 20 March 2019. The proper boundaries of conduct for attorneys general have also been a …
Read More »Young: No ‘get out of jail free’ card for Venezuelans, Minister contradicts Police Commissioner
National Security Minister Stuart Young appeared to contradict Commissioner of Police Gary Griffith on his stance with regards to the deportation of Venezuelans, as he suggested that police ‘suspicion’ would not be enough to expel the South American nations. Yesterday, Griffith told a press briefing the government’s proposed registration drive …
Read More »Day in the life of a CEPEP worker: People’s opinions don’t put food in your fridge
“[…] Management issues and problems receiving salaries [caused me to leave my previous jobs to work at CEPEP]. Some employers treat you like dogs, talking to you anyhow, making you work long ridiculous hours for little money. “My last full-time job, I worked for three months as a cleaner without …
Read More »Noble: The Sad Story of slain Akil Phillip, victim of T&T’s crime factory
That Akil Phillip was shot ostensibly for his cell phone is sad. But the greater sadness is missed in the midst of the outcry by elements of the wider population against the ‘deafening’ silence of the Laventille community. They seek to chastise the residents for not ‘making noise’ comparing the …
Read More »NWU: The one percent, with govt’s help, is eroding protection of Industrial Court; time to fight back
“The one percent has, it seems, taken full control of the industrial relations policy of the government. This is not surprising because these mark-up merchants are the ones who finance the leading political parties and, as is well known, he who pays the piper calls the tune. “The government has …
Read More »Daly Bread: The Presidential crease; is Weekes shirking her responsibility to T&T?
President of the Republic, Paula-Mae Weekes, recently gave two interviews to Hema Ramkissoon of Guardian Media and Ria Taitt of the Trinidad Express. These interviews have raised interesting issues about the constitutional powers of and limitations on the office of the President. The Express, somewhat kindly, stated that President Weekes ‘has …
Read More »Day in the life of a Pannist: “Pan is a 24 hour job; when I sleep, I dream about things for the band!”
“Let me tell you the honest truth. It’s a 24 hour job. When you work in the panyard for 12 hours and go to sleep, you dream about things for the band and the players… “Ideas are always popping up in my mind. I’m never satisfied with something. I always …
Read More »Chambers of Commerce criticise ‘invasive’ Unexplained Wealth Bill, urge Govt to hold consultations
“The very invasive legislation seeks to investigate property owners, business persons and others with accumulated wealth as to the means in which they are acquired… “The Joint Chambers do acknowledge the present administration’s drive for transparency within the private economic forces that service our nation. We would also hope our …
Read More »Dear Editor: T&T’s legal profession woefully short on ethics; pound home Her Excellency’s message
“Twenty years ago, the ‘Nolan principles’ in the UK sought to improve standards in public life. These seven principles are: Selflessness; Integrity; Objectivity; Accountability; Openness; Honesty; Leadership. At the time, these principles were revolutionary because they focused on behaviour and culture, rather than processes. “You’d be hard-pushed to find anyone …
Read More »Noble: Both political parties are at fault for Chaguaramas; but Tewarie started it!
“Betaa, dey ain’t making no more land” was the advice Mr Terrence Deyalsingh, reported to the House on 11 July 2014, his grandmother told him. He went on “… land is a family heritage… it represents wealth, it represents where you toil; it represents an investment.” The Medium-Term Policy Framework …
Read More »Anaphora, cataphora and grammatical euphoria; Scotty Ranking steps up for Media Monitor duty
I was born in the mid-70s, the period claimed by both Generation X and Generation Y. Perhaps that is what created within me that enigmatic mix of new world tastes and old world styles. Most people who know me will say that, when it comes to grammar, I’m definitely old …
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