Despite the short-sightedness of those who should be deploying our artistic and cultural output to diversify the economy, my depictions of pan and culture are of accomplishment. By contrast, commenting weekly on the latest of the unpleasant results of thoroughly deficient governance is a painful exercise. I would like sometimes …
Read More »Dear Editor: Do not support lawlessness, Mr Chief Secretary, you owe Licensing officers an apology
“[…] When our nation’s leaders—who ought to know better and, therefore, ought to set the right example—demonstrate a wanton disregard for our laws and support such lawlessness, then we know we are in serious trouble. “Mr ANR Robinson must be turning in his grave and utterly disappointed with the recent comments of …
Read More »Noble: Considering the PDP’s collapse, the PNM Convention’s shuffle, and Volney’s passing
What a week! The events that tumbled over each other added to the exhaustion and frustration of the long road from 2020. Do we, as a country, have a clear path to success? Let us consider a few of the incidents. Firstly, the THA’s Chief Secretary announced that he and …
Read More »Noble: Tobago’s evolving role in T&T’s politics, and why I’m as ‘Trinbagonian’ as Chambi Sey
I thank Wired868 for providing a forum for sensible discussion. I appreciate the engagement and contribution of its reader, Chambi Sey, to my column. Thankfully, he understood my point that we needed to view the whole ‘name’ fiasco through a political lens. Therefore, in this context, I would comment on …
Read More »Daly Bread: The Sullivan vision; remembering the Pamberi genius and anticipating Tobago’s Carnival
Nestor Sullivan was modestly described as manager of Pamberi Steel Orchestra when we lost him at the beginning of this month. My few precious interactions with him and his cool, dry witticisms caused me to become aware that he was a tireless presenter of scholarly but practical papers on the …
Read More »Daly Bread: The AG’s dodgy sea legs make his Govt stumble over Ocean Pelican
The People’s National Movement (PNM) campaigned obsessively in the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) elections on the issue of the suitability of Watson Duke for office, and lost comprehensively. Days later, it began trying to discredit the winning party by reference to Duke’s alleged conflicts of interest. The court …
Read More »Dear Editor: Unfair treatment between residents of Trinidad and Tobago cuts both ways
“[…] Tobagonians are free to apply for HDC housing in Trinidad. However, no Trinidadian can ever apply for housing in Tobago under the THA as constituted, not even if you are of Tobagonian parentage. As a consequence, several Tobagonians are the proud owners of houses in Tobago as well as …
Read More »AG asks court to examine Duke’s THA and PSA posts, union site says political and union roles ‘inextricably linked’
Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Faris Al-Rawi has turned to the High Court for an interpretation of the Tobago House of Assembly Act and, specifically, a determination as to whether Watson Duke can legally continue in his dual role of THA deputy chief secretary and Public Service Association …
Read More »Dear Editor: Did Watson Duke not take the THA oath of office by accident or design?
“[…] While reading the oath of office, at the swearing-in ceremony for members of the Tobago House of Assembly on Thursday 9 December, 2021, Watson Duke uttered the words, ‘I will bear true faith and allegiance to Tobago and Trinidad’. “This is clearly not what the oath says…” The following …
Read More »Dear Editor: What do Tobagonians want? How does PDP help? What does it mean for us Trinbagonians?
“[…] Tobagonians have indicated that they want a change in the Executive, hoping that will bring a change in their fortune. But they have failed to clearly define one item of governance that will bring this change. “So only time will tell if we have made a step forward or …
Read More »Dear Editor: Could Duke keep day job if he was Massy chair? So how, Mr Weatherhead, is PSA job different?
“[…] What next Mr Weatherhead?! If we allow trade unionists to perform their full-time duties at their unions and still take up full-time jobs in the executive branch of government or in the executive of the THA, why can’t the chairperson of ANSA/McAl or the Massy Group of Companies do …
Read More »Dear Editor: There is no wiggle room, Mrs Davidson-Celestine; resign now!
“[…] Under the Westminster system of government, if you are the leader of your political party and you lose a party leadership election, you have an obligation to resign from your position as prime minister—or any leadership position that you hold in a legislature or a body such as the …
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