By Raffique Shah
May 28, 2011
WHEN discussions on Indian Arrival Day first surfaced sometime in the 1970s, United Labour Front (ULF) founding ideologue Lennox Pierre insisted that I should intervene in the debate over a public holiday to mark the Indian presence in Trinidad. At the time, the Indian Review Committee, led by Ramdath Jagessar, vociferously argued in favour of marking the arrival of Indian immigrants in 1845.
Continue reading I arrived in 1946
Trinidad Guardian
May 24, 2011 – guardian.co.tt
The findings of an opinion survey conducted by NACTA over the last week show the incumbent People’s Partnership (PP) Government has lost support while the PNM has managed to hold on to most of its support, just a year after the coalition won office by a landslide. However, if an election were called now, while the PP is likely to lose several seats, it will still retain office though by a narrow majority. Voters do not see any threat to the Government and they do not view the PNM as a viable alternative. The poll also shows Ministers Jack Warner, Roodal Moonilal, Glenn Ramadharsingh, and Vasant Bharath leading their colleagues in ratings for performance as well as in other measurements.
Continue reading NACTA: PP still leads PNM after one year
By Michael Harris
May 23, 2011 – trinidadexpress.com
Last week I sought to examine how the People’s Partnership Government had fared in its first year in office and to assess its current and future impact on the politics of the country. Today I turn my attention to the People’s National Movement, the official Opposition (which is also observing, if not celebrating, an anniversary of sorts), to examine how it has fared in its first year in opposition following a most comprehensive defeat at the polls.
Continue reading The PNM and the politics
PM vows to make T&T a better place
Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar wrapped up a national day of prayer at Rienzi Complex, Couva, last night by extending a branch of hope to the citizenry saying, “better days are coming.” Speaking with reporters last evening after handing out gifts to scores of supporters, Persad-Bissessar commented on recent polls which showed that her Government had a decline in its performance ratings for the past year. According to recent polls, including last Sunday’s ANSA McAL Psychological Research Centre’s poll in the Sunday Guardian, Persad-Bissessar’s rating has fallen over the last year. The PM said that despite the setbacks, she was committed to making T&T a better place.
Continue reading PM vows to make T&T a better place
By Raffique Shah
May 22, 2011
THE suspension of ex-prime minister Patrick Manning from the House last week triggered a national debate that is curious, to say the least. I think the penalty imposed on the nation’s longest serving MP was somewhat harsh. But I also hold that Manning is a “harden fella”, not unlike another ex-prime minister, Basdeo Panday, who was also suspended three years ago, but who rushed to Manning’s defence—something I find quite amusing.
Continue reading Patrick in trouble…again
THE EDITOR: The Chairman of the Integrity Commission Eric St Cyr has been quoted as saying that the controversy surrounding the award of the $40 million contract to Gopaul and Company Ltd could have been avoided if the Prime Minister had stayed at a hotel.
The alacrity in which the Commission’s Chairman responded is similar to the pace of response when the Opposition questioned the appointment of Jack Warner as a Minister whilst at the same time holding an Executive FIFA office.
Continue reading Time for the President to change the Integrity Commission
GOPAUL ARE MY FRIENDS
By Darcel Choy
May 18, 2011 – newsday.co.tt
Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar yesterday said the owners of the house she stayed at on Maraj Street in Pasea, Tunapuna, during and after last year’s general election, were her friends.
“We are not blood relatives, we are not related by blood, not by blood or marriage, they were friends,” she said.
Speaking to members of the media after the opening of the Bon Air West Early Childhood Care and Education Centre, Persad-Bissessar confirmed she stayed at the home of Ralph and Maureen Gopaul.
Continue reading PM admits staying in house owned by NP favoured contractor
By Cecily Asson
May 17 2011 – newsday.co.tt
POLITICAL leader of the National Joint Action Committee (NJAC), Ambassador Makandal Daaga, has expressed concern over the level of corruption that continues to play out itself in the country.
Speaking on Saturday at the founding congress of the Movement of Social Justice (MSJ) at Palms Club San Fernando, Dagga called on the government to “open our jail doors, and just pack them in.”
Continue reading NJAC leader concerned over extent of corruption in TT
SUSPENDED
Manning sanctioned for being in contempt of Parliament
“Mr Patrick Augustus Mervyn Manning is accordingly suspended from the service of this House with immediate effect,” declared House Speaker Wade Mark last night.
Mark did not state for what period of time but a suspension cannot cross a session of Parliament, which is the maximum threshold for a suspension. This session ends on June 18.
Continue reading Ex-PM Manning suspended
By Raffique Shah
May 15, 2011
THERE was a time when every dog owner in Trinidad needed a “dog licence” to own or keep a dog. Back then, everyone I knew who kept dogs owned “pot hounds”, also known as “common dogs” or “mongrels”. My father, like everyone else in our village who kept dogs, would go to the police station or court (I was too young to know details), pay a dollar and get a licence.
Continue reading Gone to the dogs