Fifteen years ago, shortly before becoming a columnist—as a guest speaker at an event organised by the late Lloyd Best—I characterised our political contests as a fight for the national cash register. I also asserted that in politics you can lawfully t’ief, based on the way the State enterprise system …
Read More »Dear Editor: Disaster at Central Bank; QRC priest crushed by falling language standards
“She then almost gave out her sexual orientation when she said that she was ‘into Aaliyah’, and then attempted to correct it with ‘inter alia’ with the short ‘a’ pronunciation—which, by the way, is the correct Latin pronunciation. Only with the audience’s urging did she get it right in the end. Sigh!” The …
Read More »Trump, Trini gods and threats to Sunday freedom? Charles asks about dependence and independence
“The immense devastation and tragedy this world has been facing in recent times propels me to ensure my life is in harmony with the word of God. However, when the President of the most powerful country in the world signs an influential public document that selects a specific day as …
Read More »A turbulent fortnight: The unswearing of Le Hunte, Law Association gag and Mrs Broadbridge murder
Even as we were crossing Eastern Parkway opposite the Brooklyn Museum there was a brief warning. None of us making our way to Brooklyn Panorama last week Saturday into the grounds of the museum took the warning entirely seriously; but we should have. Two hours later, when we were drenched …
Read More »Heigh-ho, De Silva, away! Best sees NCC boss chairmanning still, despite quit promise
Five months, four weeks, three days, two hours, one minute, one second, two ticks and one tock. As I begin to write, that’s how long it has been since the last note sounded on Carnival 2017. And at the NCC, Kenny De Silva is still chairmanning. Now let me say …
Read More »Master’s Voice: Independence or in dependence? Sledgehammer diplomacy on we birthday
I was once told that I have the diplomacy of a sledgehammer. It was during an online discussion on religion and I was simply presenting the facts as is, with my interpretations; and with the attitude that, if it offends your religious sensibilities, well, hard luck! Get over it! I …
Read More »Dear Editor: Law Association out of line to scold members on response to Anand’s arrest
“The Law Association’s current attempt to stifle legitimate dialogue about matters of public interest—like excessive detentions and the abuse of police powers—is also an affront to the independence of the bar and the rule of law.” The following Letter to the Editor on the LATT’s response to statements by practising …
Read More »Street Vibes: The jamming done; time to done with the political distractions
How many times since last Carnival have we heard the refrain “We jamming still” quoted? And in how many different contexts? Lifted from the Ultimate Rejects’ mega soca track “We Doh Business,” it has tended to be used so often because it sums up very neatly the “carnival mentality” we …
Read More »Fixin’ T&T: Sea-bridge scandal is not mere incompetence; Rowley must fire Sinanan
“Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley’s apparent inability to remove Minister Sinanan mirrors his predecessor Mrs Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s difficulty in effectively treating with then Minister Jack Warner until the proverbial water became more than flour.” In the following press statement, local watchdog group, Fixin’ T&T, urges Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley …
Read More »Salaam: Is Ibis poaching a scarlet feather in T&T’s red, white and black cap?
Have you had some wild meat to eat lately? A little lappe, some gouti, maybe some manicou or guana? How about some tattoo, leatherback turtle or perhaps a little Scarlet Ibis? If you can truthfully answer no that last question, then you’re just not in the game—and Trinidad and Tobago …
Read More »Salaam: Can we stop T&T drivers from speeding to their deaths?
Eleven million dollars in six months! I could only shake my head in disbelief. That’s how much money drivers speeding on the nation’s highways have already contributed to Government’s coffers. And I think it is a safe bet that that figure will go up and not down in the second …
Read More »Daly Bread: Baigan soufflé and judicial macafouchette; a Mayaro postscript and JLSC jab
Reaction to last week’s Mayaro resumed column was as I expected. Readers welcomed and want more of “feel good” topics that bring some relief from the anxiety afflicting all but the one percent and the mindless fete people. This column is a postscript, but I must acknowledge reality first. People …
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