General T&T, Passed on

Remembering JaJah Onilu

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JaJah Oga Onilu
JaJah Oga Onilu

Jajah passes on: Trinidad and Tobago lost one of its musical pioneers with the death of percussionist Ja Jah Oga Onilu who died suddenly at the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex, Mt Hope last Friday night. Known as a master drummer, Onilu, who was 58-years-old at his passing, was also a well known artist and maker of “organic” musical instruments. He was also one of the members of Jewels of Nature organic percussion group along with his two sons Baba Onilu and Modupe Onilu. —newsday.co.tt

By Brother Resistance
January 11, 2012

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Court, General T&T, Law, People's Partnership, Politics

Looking Backward

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By Dr. Selwyn R. Cudjoe
January 11, 2012

Dr. Selwyn R. CudjoeKarl Hudson Philip’s brilliant advocacy for a respect of legal tradition and his reminder that standards ought to be adhered to touched an important note in Trinidad and Tobago’s psyche. Reading Hudson Philip, I was reminded of a time when things were simpler, standards were more transparent and justice [or perhaps consistency] was among desired outcomes. One stands amazed as one contrasts the legal maneuverings of Ish and Steve, the shenanigans of Calder Hart and Laurence Duprey, and the audacity of Harrynarine of the Hindu Credit Union with the behavior of British officials during the days of slavery.
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General T&T, Law, People's Partnership, Politics

Of Silkworms and Maggots

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Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar receives her Senior Counsel appointment from President George Maxwell Richards
Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar receives her Senior Counsel appointment from President George Maxwell Richards

By Michael Harris
January 08, 2012 – trinidadexpress.com

What is the difference between a silkworm and a maggot? This is the question which popped into my head as I reflected on the current controversy which has erupted over the recent appointment of senior counsel. Frankly I did not think that there was anything salient which could be added to the debate after the cogent and comprehensive submissions made by Messrs Hudson-Phillips SC and former CJ Michael de la Bastide.

I changed my mind, however, after reading the brilliantly lucid summation of the issues presented by Terrence Farrell in his article in the Express on January 5. It often happens that a particularly lucid exposition on any topic can serve to excite new and additional insights which help to develop the issue further.
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Crime in T&T, General T&T, Law, People's Partnership, Politics, Protest, Security

Plot was not real

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Cops find no evidence to support plan to kill PM, Moonilal, AG, Sharma

By Akile Simon
January 07, 2012 – trinidadexpress.com

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-BissessarTHE police investigation into allegations that 17 men were part of an alleged plot to assassinate Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and three Cabinet Ministers has been completed with no evidence to suggest the allegations were true.
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Finance, General T&T, People's Partnership, Politics

Fear for our future

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By Raffique Shah
January 07, 2012

Raffique ShahWITHIN recent times, I’ve had an uneasy feeling that this country is drifting around aimlessly. I sense that in the economic turbulence that has gripped much of the world, we have let go of the rudder of the ship of state, and cast our fate to the wind and the rough seas without even trying to steer a course to safety.
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General T&T, Hindu, India, Politics, Race and Identity, Racism Watch

Jute Matting for Kamla at Delhi Airport

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By Stephen Kangal
January 06, 2012

Stephen KangalOur Prime Minister the Hon Kamla P. Bissessar is paying an Official State Visit to India, her ancestral homeland at the latter’s invitation after an interregnum of 15 years, Basdeo Panday being the last to do so. She is also the Chief Guest of the Prime Minister of India, Dr. Manmohan Singh at the Annual Pravasi Bharatiya Divas to be held in Jaipur from the 7 to 9 January. The PM is accompanied on this official state visit by seven Government Ministers and a public-private sector entourage numbering in excess of 100 participants.
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Court, General T&T, Law, Media, People's Partnership, PNM, Politics

Khan: Don’t blame AG, it was done before

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CJ Ivor Archie receives his Senior Counsel appointment from President George Maxwell Richards
CJ Ivor Archie receives his Senior Counsel appointment from President George Maxwell Richards

guardian.co.tt
January 05, 2012

Attorney General Anand Ramlogan cannot really be faulted in awarding silk to two sitting judges because there was precedence in the matter. That view on the controversial matter was given by Israel Khan SC yesterday. “When it was first announced I didn’t give it much serious thought because there was precedence for a chief justice to take silk,” he said. Khan recalled that former chief justice Clinton Bernard was awarded silk in 1988 by the attorney general of then National Alliance for Reconstruction (NAR) government.
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General T&T, PNM, Politics

Keeping Faith with Our Destiny

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By Dr. Selwyn R. Cudjoe
January 04, 2012

Dr. Selwyn R. CudjoeSome time this month, Linius Rogers’s motion that instructs the male members of PNM to wear their balisier ties in Parliament, municipal and city bodies and at official functions will come up at the PNM General Council for a discussion and a vote. As a member of the PNM, I support this motion unreservedly because it is a way to keep us true to our roots and a sign that we are a distinct political formation in Trinidad and Tobago.
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General T&T, People's Partnership, PNM, Politics, UNC

Play mas with your medals

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By Raffique Shah
January 01, 2012

Raffique ShahA FEW weeks ago, Dr Brinsley Samaroo telephoned me. After we exchanged pleasantries, he got down to stating the purpose of his call. House Speaker Wade Mark had asked him to make contact with a number of ex-parliamentarians whom he (Mark) wanted to recognise for their service to Parliament, and, presumably, to country. Brinsley informed me that I was among those selected, and he wanted to inform me and to gather some biographical data from me.
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Court, General T&T, Law, Media, Opposition Party, People's Partnership, PNM, Politics

Appointment of 16 Attorneys-at-law to Senior Counsel

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Appointment Ceremony of 16 Attorneys-at-law to Senior Counsel
16 Attorneys-at-law appointed to Senior Counsel

President: Silk comes with ability, good work
When it comes to high office holders, President George Maxwell Richards says the application for Senior Counsel (SC) status is not strictly followed. The President was speaking at the appointment ceremony of 16 attorneys-at-law to Senior Counsel—among them Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, Attorney General Anand Ramlogan, Chief Justice Ivor Archie and Director of Public Prosecutions Roger Gaspard—which took place at Knowsley yesterday. The President said in many instances, the individuals had “made significant contribution” and “a body of sufficient work preceding their appointment to public office.”
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