Tag Archives: T&T Govt

General T&T, Hindu, India, Opposition Party, People's Partnership, PNM, Politics, UNC

Thanks, But No Thanks

4 Comments

By Dr. Selwyn R. Cudjoe
June 10, 2012

Dr. Selwyn R. CudjoeWhile I thank Ralph Maraj for his advice, I am not inclined to accept many of his formulations about the People’s National Movement (See Express, April 14 & June 5, 2012). Although he may be generous in offering his suggestions, the party should say thanks but no thanks to what comes over as a disingenuous plug for the People’s Partnership. Keeping in mind Maraj’s political history—his grasshopping tendency to jump from one party to another—dedicated members of the PNM should think twice before they accept what he has to say.
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General T&T, Opposition Party, PNM, Politics, Racism Watch

The PNM Leopard Cannot Change Its Stripes

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By Stephen Kangal
June 07, 2012

Stephen KangalRalph Maraj’s advice to the PNM is simplistic, cosmetic and fundamentally off the radar. He deludes himself into believing that the deeply embedded and fossilized, original, organizationally-driven culture of ethno-nationalism and secrecy can be easily changed when in fact the electorate has grown fed up and disenchanted of PNM’s several public relations reincarnations. The demographics have changed but the PNM remains insensitive to this political reality. It will not re-brand itself to pander to the new cosmopolitanism.
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General T&T, Media, Opposition Party, People's Partnership, PNM, Politics, THA, TOP, UNC

PP: Taking Loud and Saying Nothing

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By Dr. Selwyn R. Cudjoe
June 06, 2012

Dr. Selwyn R. CudjoeA few days ago, the People’s Partnership (PP) celebrated its second year of office amidst a lot of hype and propaganda. Their esteemed leader even tried to mamaguy Orville London by calling him “a bully and cry-baby” because, in his capacity as the Secretary of the THA, he sought a meeting with Kamla Persad Bissessar, in her capacity as the Prime Minister, to talk about the affairs of his country. Under normal circumstances, London would not necessarily have wanted to meet Persad Bissessar because there is nothing intellectually attractive or physically compelling about her. But such is the dynamics of power that the Prime Minister and her cohorts could say a lot of nonsense and get away with it because they control the political purse and constitutional discourses about the nation.
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Finance, General T&T, People's Partnership, Politics

Robbing poor pensioners

5 Comments

By Raffique Shah
June 03, 2012

Raffique ShahI MAKE no pretences to “being young” or “feeling young” at age 66. I never dyed my hair—my moustache turned grey before I was 50—and other than leading a reasonably healthy lifestyle, daily exercising included, I have taken the aging process in stride. I no longer walk as briskly as I did a few years ago, and one or two challenges that go with the age-turf have set in, none life threatening, thankfully. Also, I am still able to work, albeit at a reduced level (my choice), hence take care of my family.
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General T&T, Law, People's Partnership, Politics, Security

Backward ever, forward never

16 Comments

By Raffique Shah
May 27, 2012

Raffique ShahFOR all our boasts about technological advancements we have achieved—”4G smart phones”, “wifi hotspots”, GPS in vehicles and on phones—it is amazing how we remain mired in backwardness when it comes to dealing with fundamental problems. The classic is carnage on the nation’s roads.

Last Sunday’s horrendous crash that left four people dead and senior Appeal Court Judge Wendell Kangaloo critically injured is a case in point.
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corruption, Crime in T&T, Finance, General T&T, People's Partnership, PNM, Politics

Leading by Example

3 Comments

By Dr. Selwyn R. Cudjoe
May 23, 2012

Dr. Selwyn R. CudjoeIndiscipline has its consequences. As a nation we are paying for this indiscipline in every phase of national life up to and including the unprecedented road fatalities on our highways. Yesterday it was the Acting Chief Justice; tomorrow it could be the President or the Prime Minister. If we do not come to our senses we will pay drastically for the indiscipline that plagues our nation. It is a disease that the old are passing on to the young.
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General T&T, Labour, MSJ, People's Partnership, Politics

What now, MSJ? T&T needs to know

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Express Editorial
May 22, 2012 – trinidadexpress.com

MSJ leader David AbdulahTHE “stand Strong” headline theme of the advertising for the People’s Partnership’s anniversary event on Thursday, must attract serious interrogation for its validity. The believability of print ads pushing that theme, appearing on Thursday, was immediately called into question by the leader of the Movement for Social Justice (MSJ), a member of the ruling coalition.
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corruption, General T&T, Integrity Commission, Law, People's Partnership, Politics

Corrupting Our Morals

10 Comments

By Dr. Selwyn R. Cudjoe
May 16, 2012

Dr. Selwyn R. CudjoeCorruption takes various forms. Sometimes it is as deliberate as paying someone to give a view that is favorable to one’s position; sometimes it involves simply stealing another man’s purse through devious means; sometimes it entails padding the payroll so that someone gets more money than he or she worked for. Sometimes it even involves using one’s talent, be it mental or physical, and placing it at the behest of the highest bidder. Sometimes it is as blatant as the acts of Calder Hart or Bernie Madoff.
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Finance, General T&T, Integrity Commission, Law, People's Partnership, Politics

Stealing from the Public Purse

19 Comments

By Dr. Selwyn R. Cudjoe
May 02, 2012

Dr. Selwyn R. CudjoeThe news flooded the airways and inundated the newspapers: “Vidwatie Newton, the sister of Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar, traveled first class when she accompanied the PM on her recent trip to India…The total cost of Newton’s travel to India was $233,600” (Express, April 27).
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Barbados, Caribbean, Grenada, International, Law, Politics

Get it Right Before You Write on TT’s Maritime Boundaries

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By Stephen Kangal
May 01, 2012

Stephen KangalLet me categorically state that the printed media especially since 2004 when the TT/Barbados boundary dispute first erupted and counting, has never gotten it right in reporting about our very specialized maritime boundaries matter. They have done a great disservice to T&T. I cannot identify any single journalist past or present who has taken the time to research and/or to consult responsibly on this matter that the freedom of the press demands of media houses.
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