The PNM Manifesto 2015 begins: “In summary, we in the PNM envision a society where integrity and morality in public life is of the highest priority and the Government serves the public good above all else, and where decisions are made and actions taken by the Government in the best …
Read More »Daly Bread: Blues for 2020; insensitive, culturally obtuse leaders burden T&T
‘Never to know, never to tell’ was the street cry of a sweepstake seller when I was a boy in Newtown. It reflected that you never know what your luck might be. In a sweepstake, the punter bought a ticket from a sweepstake seller. The winning numbers of those tickets …
Read More »Demming: Do the right thing for T&T’s harassed women and release the Darryl Smith report, Mr PM
On 9 April 2018, I blogged: “How would things have been different for the minister of sports had the GOTT implemented a sexual harassment policy throughout all state enterprises and ministries and piloted relevant legislation? Women’s rights are human rights and once again this government is failing us.” Eighteen months …
Read More »Fixin’ T&T: Dr Rowley, taxpayers deserve to know contents of ‘Darryl Smith report’
“No, Dr [Keith] Rowley, the ‘Smith Report’ must be made public. Taxpayers’ money [is] involved.” The following press statement was issued by civic watch group, Fixin’ T&T, in response to Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley’s decision not to release independent report on MP and former Sport Minister Darryl Smith, who …
Read More »Daly Bread: Should we call that George? In pursuit of transparency and accountability
Monday last was a grim day for the pursuit of transparency and accountability. Both the prime minister and the chief justice took the usual futile refuge of chastising the media and metaphorically shooting all other messengers, oblivious of the message from responsible quarters that they should give an account of …
Read More »NWU: Duke detention ‘meant to intimidate and cower’ threats to ‘political elite’
“It is disturbing that the police have not made a comprehensive statement on the issue which clarifies the nature of the so-called investigation. Information in the public sphere seems to suggest that Mr [Watson] Duke is being investigated for statements made months ago and which are said to be seditious. …
Read More »Noble: The way out of our mess; what Espinet firing says of our political leadership
Shoshana Zuboff (2019) points to ‘the oldest political questions: Home or exile? Lord or subject? Master or slave? … eternal themes of knowledge, authority and power’. This week, with the firing of Wil Espinet, we are confronted with the same issues. Saddened by the crime situation and having had to …
Read More »Rowley strips Marlene of PNM deputy political leader post; corrupt acts allegedly continued during IC investigation
Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley has stripped Marlene McDonald of her position as Deputy Political Leader of the People’s National Movement (PNM), after a statement to that effect was posted on his Facebook page. The brief statement read: “As the Political Leader of the People’s National Movement, I have today …
Read More »Simonette: Sorry for embarrassing your government; DUI senator resigns
The following release was submitted to Wired8868 on behalf of Senator Garvin Simonette: A letter of resignation has been offered to the Prime Minister with immediate effect by Mr Garvin Simonette. The decision comes following the release of records indicating an arrest due to driving under the influence in the …
Read More »Marlene muddle in their words: Does buck stop with Rowley? Or Integrity Commission?
On 23 December 2013, the Integrity Commission, then chaired by Ken Gordon, cleared POS South MP Marlene McDonald of ‘any breaches of the Integrity in Public Life Act (ILPA)’. The letter did not specify what issues were brought before the IC. McDonald had been publicly accused of using her influence as …
Read More »Rowley assumes Marlene’s portfolio; as Simonette appointment ‘cancelled in light of new information’
Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley has assumed the portfolio of Minister of Public Administration, after Port of Spain South MP Marlene McDonald was fired from the Cabinet for a third time this morning. The Ministry of Communications initially stated that Senator Garvin Simonette, an attorney by profession, would be sworn-in …
Read More »Noble: The blackest thing in Laventille; how decades of neglect shaped a ‘hot spot’
Dr Eric Williams’ last tome, The Blackest Thing in Slavery (1973), tells us that there were many more shady dealings in slavery than the African slave. This is analogous to the Laventille situation; there are more criminal dealings than those who live there. While there is an undeniable need for …
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