General T&T, Law, Politics

Archie buck dem up

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By Raffique Shah
September 20, 2009
Trinidad and Tobago News Blog
www.trinidadandtobagonews.com/blog

Chief Justice Ivor ArchieAS I listened to Chief Justice Ivor Archie deliver his address at the opening of the new Law Term, I was transported back in time-42 years ago, to be precise. The CJ must have been a little past toddler stage then, and most of his fellow-judges not yet born or barely older. It was my first Carnival after two-years of military training in frigid England. As a “carnival peong” who had missed out on Sniper’s classic “Portrait of Trinidad” (1966), I jumped straight into however many fetes I could “play myself”. And the tune we partied most to? An infectious double-entendre titled “Archie Buck Dem Up” by a little known (for me, anyway) Bajan group called the Merrymen.
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Finance, General T&T, Law, PNM, Politics

PM’s Veto Unfathomable

By Onika James
September 19, 2009 – newsday.co.tt
Trinidad and Tobago News Blog
www.trinidadandtobagonews.com/blog

HousePrime Minister Patrick Manning’s veto of Carla Brown-Antoine for the post of Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and the Government’s “retrograde step” to set up a Ministry of Justice are “dark clouds” over the Judiciary and the administration of justice, Law Association president Martin Daly SC warned yesterday.

As he criticised Manning’s “exercise of the constitutional veto” of Brown-Antoine as DPP, Daly praised Chief Justice Ivor Archie’s “wonderful dissertation” in the defence of the independence of the Judiciary.
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General T&T, Law, PNM, Politics

Property Tax Can Off-Set $7bn Budget Deficit

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By Stephen Kangal
September 17, 2009
Trinidad and Tobago News Blog
www.trinidadandtobagonews.com/blog

HouseI am now becoming increasingly convinced that the proposed draconian property tax is conceived to defray most of the estimated $7bn budget deficit in the face of an aggressive attempt by Government to bring all residences including those of the new HDC settlements, agricultural lands including the Caroni two-acre farms and new business places into the new, punitive tax net. One will recall the hike in the price of premium gas last fiscal to cover the costs of the $500m Summit of the Americas. CHOGM is next.
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General T&T, Law, Politics

Address by Chief Justice Ivor Archie at the opening of the 2009/2010 Law Term

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Trinidad and Tobago News Blog
www.trinidadandtobagonews.com/blog

Following is the full text of the address by Chief Justice Ivor Archie at the opening of the 2009/2010 Law Term at the Convocation Hall,

Hall of Justice, Knox Street,

Port-of-Spain.

September 16, 2009

Chief Justice Ivor ArchieBecause of the particular focus that I want to adopt for this year’s opening address I will take the unconventional step of acknowledging at the beginning, rather than at the end, those persons who have retired during the past year and whose contributions will endure and leave an indelible mark on this institution, its administration our jurisprudence and most of all on the lives of those with whom they have come into contact.
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General T&T, Politics, Religion

Funeral Arrangements for Mrs Patricia Robinson

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Trinidad and Tobago News Blog
www.trinidadandtobagonews.com/blog

Mrs Patricia RobinsonThe Funeral Service for Mrs Patricia Robinson, wife of The Honourable Arthur N.R. Robinson, former President of the Republic, will take place on Thursday September 17th at the Church of The Assumption, Long Circular Road, Maraval, at 2.30 pm.

The family has requested that no flowers be taken to the church, and has indicated that donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association and Kids In Need of Direction (KIND).
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Crime in T&T, General T&T, Politics, Tourism, Violence

Positive Reporting

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By Darren Joseph
September 13, 2009
Trinidad and Tobago News Blog
www.trinidadandtobagonews.com/blog

CrimeA white South African was granted refugee status in Canada, on the ground of “racism.” He claimed that he was attacked six or seven times because of his skin colour. Needless to say, this caused much controversy in South Africa. Prime Minister Harper of Canada asked the Federal Court to review this ruling that so threatened Canada-South Africa relations.
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Finance, General T&T, PNM, Politics

Resistance to taxation

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By Raffique Shah
September 13, 2009
Trinidad and Tobago News Blog
www.trinidadandtobagonews.com/blog

HouseTAXATION in any form meets with resistance from those who are made to pay taxes. The tide of taxation-discontent varies. In 1773 in what is now the USA, the cry “no taxation without representation” led to the American Revolution and its declaration of independence from Britain in 1776. The 1990 introduction of the infamous Poll Tax by then British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, led to the Iron Lady’s political demise. Now, Karen Nunez-Tesheira’s increased property tax seems poised to be the most contentious issue emanating from her pocket-full of adjusted tax measures.
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Complaints, Crime in T&T, Finance, General T&T, PNM

Philbert: We will investigate Bakr affidavit

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By Andre Bagoo
September 13, 2009 – newsday.co.tt
Trinidad and Tobago News Blog
www.trinidadandtobagonews.com/blog

1990 Coup: Yasin Abu Bakr is arrestedACTING Commissioner of Police James Philbert yesterday assured that a controversial affidavit containing allegations made by the Jamaat al Muslimeen leader Abu Bakr involving Prime Minister Patrick Manning “will receive full attention” and be investigated by the police.

“If a judge sends something to be investigated it will be investigated,” Philbert said. “Whatever they send, it will be investigated and given full attention.”
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Complaints, Finance, General T&T, Letters, PNM, Politics

Transforming a Property Owning Nation into Renters

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Trinidad and Tobago News Blog
www.trinidadandtobagonews.com/blog

HouseTHE EDITOR: The onerous, burdensome, sting-in-the-tail and exploitative property tax imposed by the Minister of Finance in her barrel-scraping Budget Statement will have the effect of transforming the mentality of a proud and confident, property- owning, diverse population into a nation of transient renters. From childhood I was socialized culturally into not being a renter. Now I am being forced as a fixed income pensioner, after building and living in my own home, to regard and treat myself pschologically as a renter in my own home. A long term renter has no commitment to his community or country. He is always on the move in search of greener pastures. I do not want to be treated as that.
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Finance, General T&T, Media, PNM, Politics

T&T’s 2009 – 2010 Budget Statement

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Trinidad and Tobago News Blog
www.trinidadandtobagonews.com/blog

Calder HartThe text of the 2009-2010 Budget Statement as was presented in the House of Representatives on Monday, September 08, 2009, by the Minister of Finance the Honourable Karen Nunez-Tesheira.

Mr. Speaker, it is a distinct privilege to present to this Honourable House and to the people of Trinidad and Tobago the 2009/2010 Budget. This is the second budget of this Administration in which we continue to implement a progressive programme of development intended to improve the quality of life of our nation’s citizens.
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