View Point

“[…] Today the government is putting us on the wrong side of history and in support of a colonial and imperial agenda, grounded in the 200+ year old Monroe Doctrine which US administrations have used as justification for interfering in this hemisphere to militarily invade sovereign states (Haiti, Cuba, Dominican …

World Steelpan Day falls in August, which was a month designated as Steelpan Month in Trinidad and Tobago some time before the United Nations proclamation of that special day in 2023. Do these August activities, including the annual event at Times Square—as enjoyable as they are—in reality do anything for …

“[…] Dr Eric Williams was clear in his articulation—in a democracy, citizens have both rights and responsibilities. The government, too, has responsibilities to citizens. This is the social contract: the underlying rules that govern how citizens behave towards each other, and how the government and citizens behave towards each other. …

“[…] The US operates with a policy of imperial hegemony—that it and it alone must be in charge. This is expressly articulated in the 200+ year old Monroe Doctrine which essentially says that it can intervene anywhere and in any country in this hemisphere if it is in the ‘US …

“[…] Independence Day is not merely a ritual—it is a vital reaffirmation of national unity, resilience, and cultural pride… Cancelling the Independence Day celebration risks eroding this collective consciousness and diminishing the symbols that bind the nation. “The government’s recent decision to cancel the 2025 parade, citing security risks for …

“[…] Individuals in authority cannot stand before the population and openly claim criminals have weapons of war, the relevant agencies have the information, a SOE was required to disable the threat; and then say the weapon was never found, with no follow up to the population. “How can we the …

“[…] Seek feedback about the performance of your councillors, ask the right questions and most of all ensure that people feel safe to share their views. Do not only focus on councillors and the Corporation’s Facebook pages as community engagement. Getting feedback allows for lateral and divergent views to enhance …

“[…] During public consultations, Minister Wayne Sturge went so far as to suggest that citizens might be justified in shooting police officers entering their homes, since it’s hard to determine if they are actual police or bandits… “[…] Imagine being a police officer, doing your job, and wondering if someone …

As I have made plain, I value the commentaries contained in letters to the editor. Last week I quoted the contribution of Anthony Bennett of San Fernando with regard to the lack of accountability permeating the state enterprise culture. I did so in the course of a commentary following the …

“[…] International experience, particularly in the United States, shows that Stand Your Ground laws have not made communities safer. Instead, they have led to an increase in gun-related deaths, encouraged vigilante justice, and worsened social divisions. “[…] Moreover, these laws will not benefit all citizens equally. The high cost of …

“[…] T&T’s education system thus faces two challenges—decades old, but now more pressing in the context of 21st century market requirements and the ongoing advancement of artificial intelligence. “For the top 3%, a system that emphasises rote learning and memorisation is both demotivating and increasingly irrelevant in the real world. …

“[…] While the proponents of this proposed bill argue that these laws will promote self-defense and personal responsibility, critics have raised concerns about increased violence and potential for abuse. “It is against this backdrop, that I humbly seek permission to utilise your column to express my contributions as a citizen…” …