The inquiry “yuh get thru?” is commonplace. It means: did you succeed in completing the business or personal transaction you were attempting to do with a third party? The transaction is usually one involving access to a service and the path to such success is routinely frustrating and stressful. Unless …
Read More »Dear Editor: Piarco quartet are not victims—despite what Opposition Leader says
“[…] The truth remains that not only are these gentlemen the subject of ongoing court matters in the Florida jurisdiction, but several of their co-conspirators have already served sentences for their crimes related to the Piarco Airport contract…” “[…] To be clear, just because you have run the clock down, …
Read More »Daly Bread: Disgusting politicking with human trafficking undermines public trust
A disgusting exchange of sly political innuendos erupted and similar exchanges between politicians continued all last week over the possible identity of “senior government officials” allegedly involved in human trafficking activity in Trinidad and Tobago. The highest level of leadership in the two main political parties—PNM and UNC—participated in these …
Read More »Thompson: Imbert’s gamble—what Budget could mean for recent Heritage and Stabilisation Fund gains
After listening to Finance Minister Colm Imbert’s 2023 budget presentation last September, I felt a certain disquiet that I have not been able to deal with satisfactorily. Something did not feel right about what he was telling the country but precisely what it was kept eluding me. Contemplating the performance …
Read More »Orin: White vest, sneakers and Wallabees: Bunji was the boss—but I won’t forget Nailah either
“[…] Bunji’s clever ragga-style rapid-fire toasting managed to include a range of references, from isosceles to Wallabees… Their joint ownership of Hard Fete is itself more powerful than anything either of them said in defence of it, and they had plenty to say. “[…] Nailah and Skinny’s offering is a …
Read More »Daly Bread: Are we seeing a Carnival evolution, or a free-for-all?
The hyped-up Carnival 2023 has concluded, but the lack of changes in the traditional infrastructure and other provisions continue visibly to hurt the annual festival. Immediately after Carnival 2020, the last one preceding the forced cancellation for two years because of Covid-19, I asserted that Carnival post-mortems are usually futile …
Read More »Noble: T&T society is too unbalanced for harmony; only bitter medicine will bring crime relief
As a young boy, I learnt that Buckley’s cough syrup was the cure when your cold turned into a cough that wracked your chest. It tasted awful, but it worked! The makers were making a product that cleared up your congestion and colds. They were not interested in creating a …
Read More »TUCO president on Road March rules, Fay-Ann’s fourth title and Machel/Patrice
Does soca empress Fay-Ann Lyons-Alvarez now have four Road March titles, on the back of her credit for current hit tune Hard Fete? On Wednesday, TUCO (Trinbago Unified Calypsonians Organisation) announced that Ian “Bunji Garlin” Alvarez and Fay-Ann were co-winners of the 2023 Visit Trinidad Road March title, which might …
Read More »Bunji: “When you have a family, there’s no longer a thing as MY win!” Road March champ fires back
“[…] Our family will have our names on everything together just like cooperate institutes, groceries, shops, stores and other businesses. “And if that is a problem for you then… there’s cliffs all over the island that have no barriers and no need for parachutes. Feel free…” The following is a …
Read More »Hard Fete rules the road! TUCO tallies for Bunji and Fay-Ann
Soca power couple Ian “Bunji Garlin” Alvarez and Fay-Ann Lyons are the first Road March champions of the post-Covid-19 pandemic era, as the Trinbago Unified Calypsonians Organisation (TUCO) announced the husband and wife pair as the Visit Trinidad Road March champions. Their popular song, Hard Fete, was played 135 times …
Read More »Noble: The Mother (Lode) of All Carnivals; is T&T better for it?
Coming out of the Covid-induced hiatus, our 2023 Carnival is touted as the “Mother of All Carnivals”. We promote our fetes as the best ever and discuss ways of monetising our 2023 Carnival’s impact. We believe that we could export this wonder of the world. Amid this noise, a lawsuit …
Read More »Media Monitor: Making amends for mystery of not calling SC’s name
As a part-time monitor of the media and a full-time anglophile, I sometimes come across stuff in the newspaper that gives me pause but which might not move other more casual observers in the same way. For example, there is the Express’ Saturday 11 February lead story. It sent me …
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