“For the President to issue a Policy that restricts livestreaming, broadcasting and publication of her name and image without permission is a direct threat to freedom of expression and freedom of the press. Unlike those constitutionally entrenched rights, there is no constitutional protection for the President’s name and image.” The …
Read More »Office of the President reveals guidelines for use of Weekes’ image without permission
“The Office of the President therefore advises members of the public—inclusive of advertisers, promoters, event organisers, publishers, broadcasters, practitioners and users of traditional and digital media, and all others whose functions may come into contact with the Office and/or person of the President—to refrain from use of the President’s image, …
Read More »Daly Bread: The Presidential crease; is Weekes shirking her responsibility to T&T?
President of the Republic, Paula-Mae Weekes, recently gave two interviews to Hema Ramkissoon of Guardian Media and Ria Taitt of the Trinidad Express. These interviews have raised interesting issues about the constitutional powers of and limitations on the office of the President. The Express, somewhat kindly, stated that President Weekes ‘has …
Read More »Crowne: Archie, the Privy Council, the Law Association and the way forward…
“On 11 December, a Special General Meeting has been convened to […] ‘consider the report of the Committee established to look into the allegations made against the Honourable Chief Justice and to direct Council as to the next steps, if any, which should be taken’—including a possible referral to the …
Read More »Daly Bread: Minding the gap; why President Weekes is off to a commendable start
Reliable sources have confirmed that a minister who is being re-assigned from one ministry to another is not required to be sworn in consequent upon his re-assignment. As a result of a mistaken belief that another swearing-in was necessary when Darryl Smith was moved from the Ministry of Sport to …
Read More »Dear Editor: Why President Weekes should use her bouffs sparingly
“The thing about bouffs, though, is that they are a peculiarly ineffective means of communication. Often, they roll right off the back of the person at whom they are directed. In worst-case scenarios, such as when they come from a President, they can draw lines in the sand and raise monkey glands. “Just refer back to the Price vs the President situation.” …
Read More »Daly Bread: Replenishing the reservoir of hope; welcome, President Weekes
Her Excellency Paula-Mae Weekes became the sixth President of the Republic on Monday last. She gave an inaugural speech that was universally well received. Her central theme was the question of what are we to do when “in the state of the State, we might see every reason to despair.” …
Read More »Daly Bread: Sabbatical or tactical? A look at Archie’s controversial leave and section 137
In a column published on 17 December 2017, I foretold that there was a political sub-plot by means of which Chief Justice Archie would be given a soft landing in March 2018. At that time, I also referred to talk that the Chief Justice would be going on extended leave …
Read More »Dear Editor: It is wrong for Weekes to be required to declare her sexual orientation!
“Is that a new standard that the society is being asked to now adopt? Are our colonial hang-ups and archaic societal constructs so rigid and prejudiced that we cannot see beyond a person’s sexual orientation to determine if (s)he is competent to perform a task for the benefit of the nation? …
Read More »Daly Bread: Prayers, miracles and reality; and the President Weekes masterstroke
Almost halfway through its innings and after plenty leave-alone punctuated by some ‘vooping’, the current PNM Government, has finally played a ball with the middle of the bat. The nomination of Madam Justice Paula Mae Weekes to be President of the Republic is an elegant stroke. Happily, the Leader of …
Read More »Fixin T&T: Show us the Balgobin report, let’s see what Justice Nelson’s made of
“Fixin’ T&T has taken note of reports that retired Justice Rolston Nelson may be the Dr Keith Rowley-led Government’s nominee to become the next president of our Republic. “Fixin’ T&T is deeply troubled by the apparent difficulty judges seem to have with being called upon to account for their actions.” …
Read More »Dear Editor: Do we want a president above suspicion? Then we have to look elsewhere!
“I was horrified to learn that the People’s National Movement (PNM) is trying to foist on us Rolston Nelson while the United National Congress (UNC) is proposing Gladys Gafoor. “My mind instantly went numb.” The following Letter to the Editor, which deals with the issue of the imminent election of …
Read More »