CARICOM, General T&T

Caricom: backward ever, forward never

6 Comments

By Raffique Shah
Sunday, June 14th 2009
www.trinidadandtobagonews.com

Caricom LeadersCARIBBEAN unity is an imperative for the survival of small island states like ours. But it seems to be coming apart at the seams, thanks to our tactless and egotistic leaders. Our disintegration comes at a time when much of the world is moving towards some form of unity, if only to sustain their economies in a time of crisis and in the longer term. We are drifting apart as never before. From the draconian immigration policies of Barbados to confusing signals on free and fair trade between Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica, our leaders seem to be working overtime to dismantle what little unity we now enjoy.
Continue reading Caricom: backward ever, forward never →

Features, General T&T

Were John’s comments unfair?

3 Comments

By Dana Seetahal
June 14, 2009 – guardian.co.tt
Trinidad and Tobago News Blog
www.trinidadandtobagonews.com/blog

Justice Stanley JohnThree weeks ago, Justice Stanley John commented to the effect that if magistrates did not wish to do their work properly, they should resign. Then, despite the furore that his comments caused, he gave a lengthy interview to a radio station, during which, among other things, he queried the frequency of adjournments in the Court of Appeal and commented on the need for training magistrates.
Continue reading Were John’s comments unfair? →

General T&T, Politics

What a week!

1 Comment

By Raffique Shah
June 07, 2009
Trinidad and Tobago News Blog
www.trinidadandtobagonews.com/blog

PM Patrick ManningIT was that kind of week, one during which so much happened, the columnist is left confused. What issues do I address? My colleagues-in-print have all but flogged “Mad Max” to death. Except that President Max, endowed with powers to commit sins then forgive himself, is not about to die from shame or demit office unceremoniously. Like the legendary “bag ah lion”, a tough cop of many moons ago, Max is saying to all who care to listen: “Ah bad ah bad ah bad like a whole bag ah lion!”
Continue reading What a week! →

Culture, General T&T

‘We are the land of opportunity’

11 Comments

By Derren Joseph
June 06, 2009
Trinidad and Tobago News Blog
www.trinidadandtobagonews.com/blog

Trini PeopleIn difficult economic times, the sensitive issue of immigration tends to get even more sensitive. It is hard not to notice this. In England for example, there is much debate about an apparent increase in popularity of a far-right political party called the British National Party or the BNP.
Continue reading ‘We are the land of opportunity’ →

Culture, General T&T, Politics

Of pride and prejudice

27 Comments

By Raffique Shah
Sunday, May 31st 2009
Trinidad and Tobago News Blog
www.trinidadandtobagonews.com/blog

Trini PeopleEVERY year, come Carnival or Emancipation Day or Spiritual Baptist Day or Indian Arrival Day, one hears the same refrain: the Government ‘ent give we enough money to celebrate we special day.

Carnival band leaders, who charge mas’ players severely for their flimsy costumes and all-inclusive-wee-wee-enhanced, two-chord-bands, threaten to blank competition sites because the steelband fraternity gets more dollar-support than the NCBA. Steelband leaders grouse about not having enough funds to paint their instruments, far less compensate the people who make music. Baptists shout loud about being discriminated against, and the scores of groups that mark Indian Arrival Day cry our louder: Discrimination!
Continue reading Of pride and prejudice →

General T&T, Politics

President Richards’ address to the nation

13 Comments

May 30, 2009
Trinidad and Tobago News Blog
www.trinidadandtobagonews.com/blog

The address to the nation given by President George Maxwell Richards last night.

President Professor George Maxwell RichardsFellow citizens

It appears that the statement that I made on 15th May, 2009, has been misunderstood. Let me emphasise, therefore, that any lack of clarity was unintentional. It is being said that I did not offer an apology to the nation. May I say that my expression of regret was intended to convey just that – an apology. I have noted that the word “regret” is “used in polite formulas to express apology or sadness”, but if it would give comfort to those who have a different interpretation of the word, I say now that I apologise.
Continue reading President Richards’ address to the nation →

General T&T, Politics

Manning: Bridgid did the honourable thing

2 Comments

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

Bridgette Annisette-GeorgePrime Minister Patrick Manning’s statement in Parliament yesterday announcing the resignation of Attorney General Bridgid Annisette-George

“Mr Speaker, a few weeks ago, the Honourable Attorney General Senator the Honourable Bridgid Annisette-George approached me, indicating that having regard to the way the investigation in the Clico matter has been going that she anticipated that she could find herself in a conflict of interest situation. We agreed at the time to look at it and to discuss it in the future. Last week we had a chance to do so and she indicated then that her worst fears were coming to pass and that the anticipated conflict of interest situation was imminent.
Continue reading Manning: Bridgid did the honourable thing →

Complaints, General T&T, Politics

No Integrity Commission, no action on Govt

2 Comments

By Andre Bagoo
May 26, 2009 – newsday.co.tt
Trinidad and Tobago News Blog
www.trinidadandtobagonews.com/blog

The Integrity Commission of Trinidad and TobagoWITH NO Integrity Commission in place, complaints made against several Government ministers cannot go forward, officials of the Integrity Commission have advised. Among the matters are complaints brought in relation to: Prime Minister Patrick Manning; Health Minister Jerry Narace; Finance Minister Karen Nunez-Teshiera and Works and Transport Minister Colm Imbert.

And with amendments to the Integrity in Public Life Act still in the Senate, the possibility of some of the complaints having to be done again and under the more stringent conditions outlined in the proposed amendments has been raised.
Continue reading No Integrity Commission, no action on Govt →

Crime in T&T, Politics

Curb road carnage with punitive laws

7 Comments

By Raffique Shah
Sunday, May 24th 2009
Trinidad and Tobago News Blog
www.trinidadandtobagonews.com/blog

Vehicular AccidentSOME 30-odd years ago, when the Solomon Hochoy Highway was completed and fully opened to traffic (initially, only one carriageway was built and used), accidents close to the Claxton Bay flyover were not uncommon. Many were fatal, and that at a time when there were fewer than one-third the vehicles we now have using the nation’s roadways. Because accidents close to Claxton Bay happened more frequently than elsewhere, people tried to figure out why this was so.
Continue reading Curb road carnage with punitive laws →

General T&T, Politics

Integrity Act must be fair to all

4 Comments

By Raffique Shah
Sunday, May 17th 2009

The Integrity Commission of Trinidad and TobagoFRANKLY, I don’t give a flying fig whether President Max Richards opts to stay in a ski-lodge in the Alps for the entire summer, or he and Mrs Richards rent a castle in Austria, or they drop in on Denis Solomon at his “remote cottage” in north Italy, as he once described it to me. What I resent is every-man-Jack-or-Bas calling on President Max to return home pronto.
Continue reading Integrity Act must be fair to all →