Monthly Archives: May 2011

General T&T, Parliament, People's Partnership, Politics

Patrick in trouble…again

30 Comments

By Raffique Shah
May 22, 2011

Patrick ManningTHE 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 →

General T&T, Integrity Commission, Law, People's Partnership, PNM, Politics

Time for the President to change the Integrity Commission

4 Comments

Chairman of the Integrity Commission Eric St CyrTHE 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 →

General T&T, Religion

Let there be Light

4 Comments

By Dr. Selwyn R. Cudjoe
May 18, 2011

Dr. Selwyn R. CudjoeCall me old fashioned if you wish. Whenever I feel like reading the Bible, I turn to the King James Bible (KJB). Ten years ago while I was in London I purchased a copy of the KJB, sometimes called the King James Version, bounded in Calfskin Leather, written on India paper with gilt edges. It was published by Cambridge University Press, the Queen’s Printer. This copy of the KJB possesses cross references, a Bible dictionary and the words of the Lord are written in red. After ten years, the book still smells of leather and is one of my prized possessions.
Continue reading Let there be Light →

corruption, General T&T, Integrity Commission, Law, Media, Parliament, People's Partnership, PNM, Politics

PM admits staying in house owned by NP favoured contractor

8 Comments

GOPAUL ARE MY FRIENDS

By Darcel Choy
May 18, 2011 – newsday.co.tt

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-BissessarPrime 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 →

Complaints, corruption, General T&T, People's Partnership, Politics

NJAC leader concerned over extent of corruption in TT

8 Comments

By Cecily Asson
May 17 2011 – newsday.co.tt

National Joint Action Committee (NJAC) leader Makandal DaagaPOLITICAL 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 →

General T&T, Media, Opposition Party, Parliament, People's Partnership, Politics

Ex-PM Manning suspended

8 Comments

Patrick ManningSUSPENDED
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 →

General T&T, International, USA

Question for Caricom on Nato’s ‘war’ in Libya

4 Comments

By Analysis by Rickey Singh
May 15, 2011 – trinidadexpress.com

Muammar Muhammad al-GaddaffiLAST WEEK, while the United Nations humanitarian aid chief, Baroness Valerie Amos, was pleading for at least a pause in hostilities in Libya to help “ease the humanitarian crisis”, NATO’s Secretary General, Anders Fogh Rasmussen, was arrogantly boasting — amid continuing bombing strikes — that President Moammar Gadaffi’s “days are numbered… There is no future for him or his regime…”
Continue reading Question for Caricom on Nato’s ‘war’ in Libya →

Complaints, General T&T, Politics

Gone to the dogs

3 Comments

By Raffique Shah
May 15, 2011

Raffique ShahTHERE 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 →

General T&T, Parliament, People's Partnership, Politics

House Committee: Manning in contempt

By Andre Bagoo
May 14 2011 – newsday.co.tt

Patrick ManningPARLIAMENT’S disciplinary committee has found that a case of contempt has been made out against San Fernando East MP Patrick Manning in relation to statements he made in Parliament about a house belonging to Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar back in November.

In a report tabled in Parliament late yesterday, the Parliament’s Privileges Committee found that Manning, through his refusal to co-operate with the proceedings, failed to answer a case against him which was referred after a motion was brought by Works and Transport Minister Jack Warner on November 24.
Continue reading House Committee: Manning in contempt →