“Notwithstanding efforts by the UNC to undermine Trinidad and Tobago’s position—particularly at this time of sensitive negotiations—Trinidad and Tobago reaffirms its principle positions and counts the USA among its treasured partners in observing and protecting these principles.” The following release on relations between Trinidad and Tobago and the United States, …
Read More »Dear Editor: Non-intervention has always been T&T’s policy; and Kamla backed Maduro in 2015
“Then prime minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar in April 2015: ‘We believe inherently in the sovereignty of nations and so we stand with you President [Nicolás] Maduro for your sovereignty and for the determination of the right of your people to be governed as they choose’…” The following Letter to the Editor …
Read More »US Embassy ‘deeply concerned’ by T&T’s stance on Venezuela; Caricom re-affirms non-intervention
“Democracy and prosperity require tough choices…” The following release on Trinidad and Tobago’s recognition of Venezuela president Nicolás Maduro’s government was issued by US Ambassador Joseph Mondello: Venezuelan Interim President Juan Guaidó and the democratically elected National Assembly have the full recognition and resolute support of the United States of …
Read More »Heartbreak! How state body’s irresponsible act threatened future of Mahmud, Ayyub and Felicia
“What was the point then of saying that the mother had not reported it, if not to paint her an indifferent and uncaring lout? “This of course was to set the stage for the follow-on narrative of: ‘why should the government care if the mother doesn’t’—and to deflect attention away …
Read More »Daly Bread: Bélé djouba; how long will govt dance around potential of arts and culture
The djouba is a joyful dance of West Africa, said to have been brought by slaves and diffused throughout the Caribbean and the Americas. It also refers to certain musical rhythms executed on the tambour-djouba drum. It is strongly present in the culture of Martinique. Caribbean dance—much, but not all …
Read More »Minding our business; Demming criticises name and tone of Dr Rowley’s address
‘Mind your business’ is the theme of the recent address to the nation by Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley in his 40th month as our leader. It was unfortunate in its naming, content and style. The fact that it is now popularly referred to as the Prime Minister’s ‘power point …
Read More »Demming: Rowley must communicate vision to T&T and show he is ready to lead
I believe many people want a leader who is able to form a human connection with them using both words and deeds. So my single wish for 2019 is a leader who communicates with us this way. The last time I heard our leader speak was at the PNM Convention …
Read More »Dear Editor: Prime Minister Dr Rowley has duty to trigger investigation into Chief Justice
“When a Minister (or Prime Minister) is asked to exercise his discretion to establish an inquiry (as you are being asked to do), he ‘must do so in a manner that conforms to basic public law principles of reasonableness and due consideration of relevant matters’. “There is a duty to …
Read More »Noble: How exactly does Devant’s release of Rowley’s numbers lead to good governance?
Civility allows us to disagree without disrespect. It facilitates social interaction which enables us to look past our preconceptions and arrive at better solutions. In political discussions we provide information to persuade action. Unfortunately, some contributors seek to troll perceived adversaries; and personal attacks sometimes prove counterproductive, as they demotivate …
Read More »Demming’s memo to ex-Petrotrin workers: “Assess finances carefully… and remember whose fault this is”
Good day, former Petrotrin worker. Today marks the end of life as you knew it for the past whatever number of years you worked proudly for Petrotrin. Today, you awake with an emptiness deep in your soul and a lack of clarity about your future. You are not even assured that …
Read More »Trinidad and Tobago’s populist moment: we need structural change; not a superman
Gary Griffith’s appointment as Commissioner of Police came with an eerie and uncanny realisation about the opaque and dysfunctional state of our institutions. Despite his political history, people were happy to embrace Griffith. And even though he has been on the job for only four months, are singing his praises. …
Read More »Dear Editor: Is ‘UNC corruption’ largely a PNM sales gimmick to derail debate?
“A prominent political scientist devoted newspaper and academic articles to illustrating the UNC as corrupt and also darkly suggested an ethnic propensity to white-collar crime. He wrote: ‘For the UNC, politics is relative; everything is for relatives.’ “The party of all-ah-we-t’ief, Johnny O’Halloran and which spawned corruption-buster Gene Miles, had taken …
Read More »