The following response to a Trinidad Guardian editorial on Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley’s public statement on unpaid salaries during his suspension from Parliament was submitted to Letter to the Editor by David Pierre: Reference is made to an editorial titled ‘Dr Rowley’s missing pay cheque’ which appeared in the …
Read More »No civility, much hypocrisy; Raffique Shah points at both sides of the House
It would be asking too much of our politicians that they show some humility in their public lives. In fact, it will be true to say that, with precious few exceptions, politicians across the world are egotistical and arrogant—character traits that distinguish them from most ordinary human beings. Lest I …
Read More »Booyaka! Live Wire walks in on Senator Ali-G and the PNM’s first sex scandal
The People’s National Movement (PNM) Government is again facing complaints of arrogance, failing to deliver on its pre-election hype and being out of touch with the public, after its first sex scandal and subsequent resignation. PNM senator Hafeez Ali, the defeated candidate for Barataria/San Juan, was the guilty party in …
Read More »Board Games (Part Two): Afra Raymond continues look into State boards
Part One of my look into State boards prompted a series of extremely interesting responses, so I will continue this examination of the State Controlled Agencies. This term includes State-owned Enterprises (SoEs) such as UDECOTT, Caribbean Airlines and Education Facilities Company Limited (EFCL), as well as Statutory Agencies like WASA, TTEC, CDA, …
Read More »Live Wire: Slowpoke acting CoP, Dr Rowley’s violent diagnosis and the Duke’s Hazard
Is there a fine for slow brain movement in the fast lane? Should there be? Acting Police Commissioner Stephen Williams might have sparked another round of road rage for Trinidad and Tobago motorists yesterday, as he offered a moral lecture to local drivers about their dissatisfaction with the 80 km/h …
Read More »Empty promises! Fixin T&T slams PNM’s campaign finance legislation offer
Civic watchdog group, Fixin’ T&T, today slammed Stuart Young, the Minister in the Ministry of the Attorney General and Legal Affairs and the Office of the Prime Minister, for “vacuous” promises regarding campaign financing legislation. Young vowed to present legislation before the next general election. However, Fixin’ T&T, which is …
Read More »Yes, Prime Minister: Colm on economics, distraction and pleb… eh… people power
Scene: Office of the Prime Minister. There is a knock on the door. Dr Keith Rowley: Yes, come in. (The Finance Minister strolls in with a broad smile). Colm Imbert: Good day, Dr Prime Minister. How are you doing today? How is the back? Keithos: Yes, I’m fine. The back …
Read More »Keithos versus Kams: An outer-worldly showdown on steel, spelling and a new car smell
(Scene: A poorly lit street somewhere in Trinidad. Two shadowy figures, donned in capes and tights square off and glare at each other… That’s how it starts. The fever, the rage, the feeling of powerlessness that turns good men and women: cruel). Keithos: Tell me Kams… What’s your take on …
Read More »Mystifying dead-ends to reform: Sunity explains why the people must seize reins
Of all the plans being promoted by the Dr Keith Rowley administration, local government reform offers the greatest potential for revolutionary political change through decentralisation of power. But we would be a very naïve people indeed if we were to ignore the record and underestimate the great risk of it …
Read More »Stop the fatwa on Marlene: a totally non-partisan PNM til-ah-dead supporter speaks
The following is a letter to the editor by independent and totally non-partisan political commentator and PNM till-ah-dead supporter, Red and Ready: Dear Wired868 readers, I never thought I’d see the day when I go read columns and comments on this site and hang mih head in shame. But to …
Read More »Dr Rowley’s baptism of fire; why PM may follow tainted footsteps of successors
The dismissal of Marlene McDonald could be the start of something good, if it helps to shift the system towards more accountable power. If this were to happen, it would mark a real revolution. The more predictable outcome, however, is that her dismissal will stand as a new marker of …
Read More »No Biggie: Why we shouldn’t be too quick to celebrate Marlene’s dismissal
I must give credit to my colleague Earl Best for the title of this piece given that, on this rare occasion, he was faster out of the blocks than I was. The news late last night was that Housing Minister Marlene McDonald had been fired. Don’t pop that champagne just …
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