I am surprised that so many people are surprised by the termination of services—firing, suspension, the euphemistically-couched “sent on administrative leave”—of several senior government officials, the most prominent being Governor of the Central Bank, Jwala Rambarran. Clearing the politically-constructed State-stables of partisan appointees is a ritual that occurs every time …
Read More »Rambarran v PNM Gov’t exposes lie of Central Bank’s ‘independence’
Just when we most need our leaders to stand together and assume their joint responsibility for guiding T&T through the rough waters of an economic downturn, we get instead a fireworks display of cheap shots. Hostile relations between a Dr Keith Rowley-led Government and the Governor of the Central Bank …
Read More »Change and foreign exchange: Rowley’s Gov’t must lead economic adjustment
The great howl that goes up with every significant decline in foreign exchange income betrays the country’s dogged refusal to even entertain the option of adjustment until forced by the IMF. Led by some of the most powerful forces of the business community the instinct is invariably to press the …
Read More »CAISO: Padarath’s bullying of PNM MPs unhelpful; mature stance needed
CAISO (Coalition Advocating for Inclusion of Sexual Orientation) executive chairman Colin Robinson has criticised recent “homophobic” remarks by Sport and Youth Affairs Minister Darryl Smith and Facebook posts from the account of Finance Minister Colm Imbert. However, CAISO has also condemned the response by their target, UNC MP Barry Padarath, …
Read More »MATT queries PNM policy regarding post-Cabinet meetings
Changes in the format of the post-Cabinet press briefing announced by the Honourable Maxie Cuffie, Minister of Communications, have understandably raised questions by journalists. Over several administrations, the post-Cabinet press conference has been used as a forum where ministers of government made themselves available, on rotation, to answer the media’s …
Read More »Consultation conundrum: Sheila ponders a long-standing Gov’t tradition
Civil society, perhaps more than any other sector, knows only too well that a healthy serving of scepticism inside the doubles is necessary when governments talk consultation. In T&T, “consultation” is sometimes political-speak for “we eh touching that,” “we eh know what the hell to do with that” or “we …
Read More »Signs of the times, Kamla’s minority report and Jack lectures teachers
On Friday afternoon, John “Amigo” Matthews, 54, was walking along the Eastern Main Road in Barataria when a sign for The Gate Church fell and immediately took him to meet his Maker. An eyewitness said it was nobody’s fault but rather a tragic accident prompted by high winds. Yet, Mr …
Read More »Is Imbert working with gas or full of it? Live Wire looks at the Budget in brief
The good news is that Trinidad and Tobago citizens are about to have their country open up more than ever before as traffic lights come down, highways continue to expand and sea ports go up. The bad news is we may not be able to afford to drive to see …
Read More »Budgeting Beyond Waste: The PNM’s financial challenge
Today, when Finance Minister Colm Imbert unveils his budget, we will see whether the Dr Keith Rowley-led administration, too, is guilty of confusing the private sector with big business and big business with entrepreneurship. If this government, too, is locked in the conventional economic paradigm, we might as well pucker …
Read More »The view from pit: Daly muses on hypocritical response to State appointments
Following the recent appointment of former Independent Senator Helen Drayton to chair a state enterprise Board, a strange concept emerged that persons not having blind affiliation to a political party become “tainted” if they serve the country at the behest of a Government. Although responsible opinion has dealt well with …
Read More »Man murdered by Perfect Hideout; Live Wire investigates shocking crime wave
Trinidad and Tobago is now officially in a crime wave. And, unfortunately, the criminals are not waving “bye, bye.” This week, Shawn Joseph, a construction worker, was murdered at “The Perfect Hideout”, which begs the question as to exactly where is safe these days. Joseph, according to the Trinidad Guardian, …
Read More »Come better than that: Sex and the State
Three years ago, at a workshop on women’s health, a street-smart 23-year-old from along the East West Corridor asked me, “If a man — in my mouth, I could get pregnant?” It will shock many to know that while in popular discourse about sexuality, young people are stereotyped as sexually …
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