Category Archives: Politics

Corruption, Mismanagement and Waste

July 31, 2010

UDECOTTMadness in Sportt–Anil
Roberts added: “Errors, omissions, impropriety and downright corrupt practices… from the Caribbean Games, which never came off, to the legacy flag at Hasely Crawford Stadium, to the hiring of interns, the leasing of expensive SUVs, duplication of duties/responsibilities and the creation of a ghost roof at the stadium.”

…’Prophetess would be proud’
SPORTS Minister Anil Roberts yesterday literally didn’t know if to laugh or cry as he exposed $65 million in a clutch of dubious deals at the Sport Company of Trinidad and Tobago (SPORTT) in a hard-hitting speech in the Lower House.
Continue reading Corruption, Mismanagement and Waste

Team Up and Tone Down

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar with Govt Ministers
PM Kamla Persad-Bissessar with Govt Ministers
By Martin Daly
July 11, 2010 – trinidadexpress.com

“Accordingly, to those who wish to know how I felt about the Attorney General’s attacks on Philbert and Mr St Cyr and the members of the Integrity Commission (whose Warner transgression I analysed three weeks ago) I say ‘guilty with a cause’. A reprimand and discharge is the appropriate sentence this time; but it does not end there.
Continue reading Team Up and Tone Down

Injustice Sows Seeds of Terrorism

This picture shows a portion of the barrier being built by Israel in the West Bank. This part is in Abu Dis, close to the eastern part of Jerusalem.
This picture shows a portion of the barrier being built by Israel in the West Bank. This is close to the eastern part of Jerusalem.
By Raffique Shah
July 11, 2010

THOSE among us who keep abreast of international developments will have noted huge protest demonstrations in Israel most of last week. This kind of action is unusual. Small numbers of Israelis who oppose their government’s policies towards the Palestinians and atrocities committed by their military, hardly come out in the open for fear of their lives and liberty. Last week’s protests were not only big, but apparently supported by the state apparatus.
Continue reading Injustice Sows Seeds of Terrorism

Adopting a Consultative Approach on Our Foreign Policy

By Stephen Kangal
July 09, 2010

Foreign Affairs Minister Dr Suruj RambachanFreshly minted Foreign Affairs Minister Dr Suruj Rambachan has appropriately initiated his public exposure at the helm of the Foreign Affairs Ministry by adopting a consultative, transparency and accountability-based strategy during his recent interaction with his staff, business, academic and civic society representatives at the Claxton Bay Cara Suites retreat.
Continue reading Adopting a Consultative Approach on Our Foreign Policy

Money and Wishful Thinking

Acting PM Jack Warner and Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley
Acting PM Jack Warner and Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley
By Dr. Selwyn R. Cudjoe
July 08, 2010

Jack Warner is a sensible and successful man in his own right. He has achieved much and will go on to achieve many more things in his life. He brought the UNC to the pinnacle of success through his unceasing efforts and his unbounded energy. Today he is the acting Prime Minster. Much to the consternation of Messrs Basdeo Panday and Winston Dookeran he may be the prime minister of this land in the not-so-distant future. Expect the unexpected: that is the motto one can ascribe to Mr. Warner.
Continue reading Money and Wishful Thinking

That 1990 Attempted Coup

By George Alleyne
July 07, 2010 – newsday.co.tt

Abu BakrWith the 20th anniversary of the 1990 coup attempt virtually around the corner will the People’s Partnership Administration hold an Inquiry into the July 27, 1990 incident or will it follow in the footsteps of its predecessors, the National Alliance for Reconstruction, the People’s National Movement and the United National Congress and do nothing?
Continue reading That 1990 Attempted Coup

To Hang or Not?

Hanging
Hanging
July 20, 2010

Don’t Hang Them
Verna St Rose-Greaves, who has been named Special Advisor on Children’s Affairs to Prime Minister Kamla Persasd-Bissessar, is against the People’s Partnership’s current moves to return to the hangman, saying she will not compromise on her views that capital and corporal punishment have no place in a civilised society.
Continue reading To Hang or Not?

PNM faces new day

Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley
Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley
On Sunday, Opposition Leader Keith Rowley delivered his first major philosophical statement at the special convention of the People’s National Movement at the Chagua- ramas Convention Centre. In the speech, in which he quoted extensively from PNM founder Eric Williams, Rowley reflected on the party’s history from its establishment in 1956 to the May 24 defeat at the hands of the People’s Partnership. Following is an excerpt of Rowley’s statement:
Continue reading PNM faces new day

Multi-million dollar headaches

NAPA at Todd Street San Fernando
NAPA at Todd Street San Fernando
By Cecily Asson
July 01, 2010 – newsday.co.tt

Minister of Planning, Economic and Social Restructuring and Gender Affairs, Mary King yesterday revealed that and additional $90 million is needed to complete the National Academy for the Performing Arts (NAPA), Todds Street, San Fernando while a “few hundred million more” is needed to finish the Chancery Lane Complex a short distance away.
Continue reading Multi-million dollar headaches

Ministers Must Show Decorum

By Raffique Shah
July 04, 2010

Attorney General Anand RamloganBREAK, as a boxing referee would say. Last week I sought to re-open some old wounds that have returned to haunt us—to wit, the tragedy and gross injustice of the Bhopal disaster of 1984. Oftentimes we become so absorbed with our immediate problems, we ignore the plight of people less fortunate than we. In their trauma lie many lessons for us, not the least of which is a sense of justice.
Continue reading Ministers Must Show Decorum