The ultimate sin today is criticising a group, especially on moral grounds. We live in a nihilistic post-shame era. There are no permanent standards, just the shifting judgment of the crowd. We have a culture of oversensitivity, overreaction and frequent moral panics, during which everybody feels compelled to go along. …
Read More »Noble: Peddling fables; why emailgate matters, despite Griffith’s protestations
Unlike Aesop whose fables came with a moral, our leaders peddle fables with deadly consequences. We are gambling in a ‘three-card’ game which we will never win while they collude. The way we treated the conclusion of the ‘Emailgate’ issue suggests that there is no connecting line between Section 34, …
Read More »Doctor, my goldfish has epilepsy: The problem with T&T Governance
I had been considering several topics to write on and then inspiration (if I can call it that) came by the way of an ill-conceived attempt to stir my sense of humour. The message on my phone read as follows: I phoned the vet the other day and said, “I …
Read More »Fatigued Glenn gets a rest; Minister of the People joins PM’s sack race
Minister of the People Glenn Ramadharsingh arguably made history yesterday for the most ridiculous dismissal in local politics after the sack race also-ran lost his job for effectively mistaking a CAL plane for his living room and incorrectly reading the future of a flight attendant that he took for his …
Read More »Alleyne promises a wetting as St Joseph by-election heats up
Ian Alleyne completed the St Joseph by-election line-up today as he filed his nomination papers. Allegedly. Well, he actually did; but Alleyne would surely be using the word ‘alleged’ more than ever if he becomes a full-fledged politician. The celebrated “Crime Watch” television host now goes head to head with …
Read More »Volney tries Warner defence as section 34 farce continues
MP Herbert Volney tried a classic “Jack Warner defence” yesterday in regards to the on-going Section 34 controversy that has already done for his Cabinet career and threatens the credibility of the People’s Partnership government. The Jack Warner defence, named after the colourful National Security Minister, is famous for its …
Read More »The Government must hold Section 34 Inquiry
I really don’t care who runs the country. Be it UNC, COP, PNM or any other trilogy of capital letters, all I want is a government whose first concern is improving the lives of its citizens rather than their own. Is it too much to ask, I sometimes ponder. I …
Read More »Carlos’ Miracle on 34th Street
Carlos John, the former UNC Minister of Works, is a firm believer in the spirit of Christmas. In December 2010, John, who faces fraud charges for his role in the Piarco Airport scandal, applied to the Transport Commissioner to reserve number 34 for his next vehicle, which was a two-door …
Read More »Volney gets 10-day lesson
Clevon Raphael (in a Trinidad Guardian interview): (…) Do you think the PP administration could survive Section 34? Herbert Volney: Of course… It is a ten-day wonder, if as long. That’s the thing about 10-days; there is no guarantee of employment in the immediate aftermath. Mr Live Wire wishes the …
Read More »Volney trumps clause 34; Machel law expected
(A deep, mysterious voice offers a monologue) IN THE FUTURE ONE NATION IS AFFLICTED WITH A NEW KIND OF GOVERNMENT. ONE WOMAN CONTROLS IT ALL. BUT JUDGEMENT IS COMING TO TAKE DOWN AN EMPIRE. HE MUST GO ALL THE WAY UP. HERBERT TWO …
Read More »Volney verbal volley to voters
Justice Minister Herbert Volney was identified in today’s Sunday Express as the Cabinet official responsible for the proclamation of the controversial Clause 34 of the Administration of Justice (Indictable Proceedings) Act 2011. Thankfully, the St Joseph MP had an explanation for the hasty proclamation of that clause, which he shared …
Read More »T&T ponders 17th century policing initiative
Scene: Office of the Minister of Justice The telephone rings. “Good morning, Herbert Volney speaking.” “Good morning, Minister. This is Chief Justice Ivor Archie.” “Aah, Ivor. Good to hear from you, my boy. What can I do for you today?” “Well, Minister, I’m rather concerned about your statements about conducting …
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