By Stephen Kangal
January 06, 2012
Our Prime Minister the Hon Kamla P. Bissessar is paying an Official State Visit to India, her ancestral homeland at the latter’s invitation after an interregnum of 15 years, Basdeo Panday being the last to do so. She is also the Chief Guest of the Prime Minister of India, Dr. Manmohan Singh at the Annual Pravasi Bharatiya Divas to be held in Jaipur from the 7 to 9 January. The PM is accompanied on this official state visit by seven Government Ministers and a public-private sector entourage numbering in excess of 100 participants.
From a diplomatic and protocol perspective, no state occasion could be of a higher profile except a visit by a Head of State. The arrival ceremony for our PM at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi given the official state, high-powered visit status demanded, according to the well-known and recognised tenets of State Protocol that the Prime Minister of India should have been on hand to greet/welcome his T&T counterpart irrespective of the time. Readers will recall the diplomatic and military razzmatazz that was laid out for the last visit of the President of India to T&T.
Instead, our PM was met by a junior Minister of Information of the Indian Government and officials from their External Ministry. If not the PM of India that was mandatory protocol on this official state visit, where was its External Affairs Minister seeing that our Foreign Minister Suruj was there?
I find this undiplomatic and politically incorrect treatment meted out to the Government and people of T&T very objectionable. It is lacking in the requisite proper state decorum even though arrival took place in the morning. Is this deliberately low-keyed treatment accorded by the caste-conscious Gov’t of India a reflection of our small size or banana republican perception by the Indians of T&T populated inter alia, by dalits? Or is it the result of our dear Prime Minister being the descendant of a low caste “Girmitiya” from the state of Bihar that she plans to visit?
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs must take due note of this affront to our sovereign equality. They must let the Indians know that T&T cherishes its national pride and sovereign dignity and that must be respected and adhered to as a pre-condition for conducting further our economic, trade and diplomatic relations.
Did we spend $100m to be ignored by the Indians who stand to benefit from the 28 million global high purchasing power diaspora?
The Indian government are known to be lazy at good protocol. This was Nixon experience with India “NIXON visited India in 1964 and again in 1967 as a private citizen. He took note that on both occasions, the Indians had received him with minimum of appropriate protocol.” The Indian treatment of Nixon resulted in him going to China and there he was treated like a King. India in turn suffered as the Americans made Pakistan a natural ally and China a capitalistic economy.
The visit of Burnham and Cheddi was no better. It was said that Cheddi was taken aside and told “apanjat”. Burnham for his part was learning Hindi for the ocassion and understood the word. The result was his disdain for Cheddi and Guyana plunge down the road to economic and social disaster under an angry Burnham. How Burnham was treated in India determined his behaviour in Guyana.
The State visit by the T&T PM is given a slighthly similar flavour as the Indian government approximates it’s power and influence in the world. Could they have done better, certainly. But that is how India behaves to NRI and at times it can be confusing to understanding their language and behaviour. The Chinese on the other hand would roll out the red carpet and give the best possible treatment to visiting dignitaries. Is it any wonder they are so far ahead.
“T&T cherishes its national pride and sovereign dignity and that must be respected”. Mr Kangal, were you absent for the Hilton embarassment when the selfsame PM said it was US policy?
I condemned her for that error in my writings
http://www.guardian.co.tt/cj-and-kangaloo-give-back-silk
Blah , blah , blah, and who cares mamboo? Won’t you likewise distance your self from someone, who helped initiate the above clown show, that served not only as an embarrassing spectacle of the once dignified Judiciary , but made our entire country of people, into sad Caribbean, and global laughing stocks ?
Some say , let the square peg in round hole masquerade continue, until of course better can be done.Don’t know who or what is right any more, when it comes to T&T.
Red carpet rolled out
January 07, 2012
trinidadexpress.com
Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar yesterday became the first woman Prime Minister from the Caribbean diaspora to meet with the first woman President of India, Pratibha Patel.
Persad-Bissessar was seen wiping away a tear from her cheek as she inspected the President’s guard at Rastrapati Bhavan — the official residence of the President.
Persad-Bissessar’s first official day of her State visit to India started yesterday with a ceremonial welcome by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
The red carpet was rolled out on the red sands surrounding the massive historical site and Trinidad and Tobago flags fluttered all though the streets of Delhi and the President’s House to mark the state visit.
The Express learnt that the custom of the Indian Prime Minister welcoming visiting dignitaries at the airport was stopped after terrorists attacked India. Instead, Ministers welcome the guests and then an official day is planned.
The traffic on the busy streets of Delhi was brought to a standstill as the way was cleared for Persad-Bissessar to make her way to and from various points in the city yesterday. Police officers were presence at every corner.
At Rashtrapati Bhavan, all visiting Trinidad and Tobago Cabinet members were present as well as Sport Ambassadors Brian Lara and Daren Ganga. Members of the Indian media called out to Lara for more photographs as the Prime Minister introduced him and others to Singh.
In response to questions from the media on her personal sentiments on the occasion, Persad-Bissessar said: “There’s great joy in being here at this time as a great grand daughter of the soil, it is a wonderful experience to know that I come from such a great nation and great civilisation so it is personally very humbling to me and exceedingly joyful.”
She said her aim was to deepen and strengthen the strong cultural and historical ties between India and Trinidad and Tobago to the benefit of both nations.
The day ended with a state dinner hosted in Persad-Bissessar’s honour by Singh. Persad-Bissessar and her delegation will fly to Jaipur on an airbus sponsored by the Indian Government today.
http://www.trinidadexpress.com/news/___Red_carpet_rolled_out-136860458.html
“There’s great joy in being here at this time as a great grand daughter of the soil, it is a wonderful experience to know that I come from such a great nation and great civilisation so it is personally very humbling to me and exceedingly joyful.”
“She said her aim was to deepen and strengthen the strong cultural and historical ties between India and Trinidad and Tobago to the benefit of both nations.”
If anything, this proves that the administration is moving in the wrong direction. How can you be a leader of one nation and feel alliegiance to another. This train of thought is a threat to national security. I respect a person who knows thier family history. However, in this case it is more important to solidify TNT and it’s population than to desperately seek an identity in another nation. Whats next, is TNT going to be auctioned of to Mother India because the Prime Minister wants to prove that she is ….Indian?
Is Brian Lara Indian? What was he being used for? What sort of trophy was he? How did he help this mission of the PM?
TNT needs to improve relations with itself. People in TNT need to stregnthen ties with one another. This is just rediculous on so many levels. TNT has now been treated like orphans because the leadership is too busy looking backward instead of looking forward. It just seems like more opportunities to better ourselves are being wasted on spectacles. Thats Manning was voted out, remember? Obviously not, but we will remind you. My heart weeps for Sweat Sweat TNT.
Oh get over it. Trindad’s population is over 40% ethnic South Asian. India is a fast emerging industrialized nation. It’s sensible economics and politics to build on the indisputable links of culture and ethnicity which may benefit all Trinidadians in the long run!…and it’s India who’s hosting Trinidad.
Here’s a rhetorical question: Were you similarly incensed when countless millions of your tax dollars were spent by your former leader(s) to roll out the red carpet for Mr Obama and his politicos ?
AC, if the question is towards me, it is not rhetorical. Go back in the archives and you will find my comments in regard to my dislike of the money being spent on the Sumitt of the Americas and how Trini’s where being treated. You say 40% of Trinidads population is over 40% ethnic South Asian. I say that that well assimilated population is Trinidadian first. The sensible thing to do is to work to improve the average condition of citizens of Trinidad and Tobago.
“Oh get over it. Trindad’s population is over 40% ethnic South Asian. ” AC
Over 25 % of that number belongs to our fine , half Afrikan ,Dougla population , so get your fax straight AC, about the swing voters , who ‘you alls ,’ will only conveniently love, when it comes to Census testing , and elections.
As for India, vs America, one remains a Super power, the other , along with their clueless Muslim cousins from Pakistan , are pretending democracies , with more folks living under the poverty line, than all of Afrika,Latin America , and the Caribbean , put together.
Building 15 storey Hindu temple in historically neglected Tobago ,to service 35 members of your tribe, does not constitute investment.
Idly flaunting a few mumbai , high tech folks , and starving you country men while locked in stupid nuclear over spending , with Islamist cousins ,does not an Industralized country make. They both should be grateful for something call the Cold War.
Quit your neo tribal gloating AC, as it’s very un becoming of an alleged T&T patriot. What next running out on the cricket field ,to congatulate Krishna Dilipsing,of de Indian national team,OR bALKARAM Seliffania Karoananan, from Sri Lanka , while booing that of the Caribbean team?
LUV hUMANITY.
Again we see the hubristic postulations emanating from the ethnic supremcist whose goal is render synonymous the ethnic Indian Culture and Trinidad and Tobago. And there is no deceit or subterfuge that they will not engage in to accomplish this.
T&T today is in the grip of the most malformed ethnic ideologies, and the only goup that stand in their way of achieving their dreams are Afro-Trinis. And they will utilize every power and agency of Government in order to de fang Afro Trinis and clear the way for their odious goals.
Recently we witnessed the most devlish concoction that there was an assassination plot against the PM. From the beginning anyone with a couple of brain cells could discern that this was an evil excuse to rationalize the criminalizing, imprisonment, and maybe worse, of Afro Trinis. Now the rabbit is out of the hat, and our worse fears have come to a realization.
http://www.trinidadexpress.com/
Pray tell:
Give us a short list of specifically what the T&T Government is doing to “de-fang” Afro – Trinis?
Let me take this on Kieth ,by adding , that if you cuz AC, ain’t smart enough to figure this out as yet, then both you, and your fellow triumphalist kind, ain’t likewise smart enough to be in a position to get , much less appreciate an appropiate answer.
In the interim , my admonition to de tribe, is to continue your petty gloating, at paltry victories, back slapping, over opaque culture, and pretense at advancement . Don’t however, be surprise at the inevitable consequential fallouts.
The only problem is that in the desperate quest for attention , and power, ‘you alls ,’ have cried wolf, for so long, dat no one would believe you, when indeed, the wrath of the ignored , demonized people, are unleashed, as a form of what I would affectionately describe as , ‘socio-political blowback.’
Now here is irony at it’s best ,that would hurt de petty elite, self serving leadership. The same way they acquired power, by the will of a desperate people, willing to temporilaly bury differences , it is the same way that the poor , maligned , and ignored masses, at the bottom of the totem pole – who obviously make up the majority of Afro / Indo Trini communities -would soon mobilise themselves into actions , and together, do the right thing , for the good of the nation.
Then however, I have been mistaken before , about people working together to promote their own interest, and can be wrong once more.
We wish our people well, yes?
OK, but where’s the short list ?
Don’t hurry AC , we will give you it , the same time you produce evidence of Afrikan orchestrated genocide against your people since 1986, as lamented on by your one time wolf cryer , and now lofty Minister of Education, Goopiesingh. Ah tell you ,these self loathing, always finger pointing , and yet cuddling of their tribal criminals, country haters.
Oh how easy it is to despise them folks!It takes every solid moral fiber in our soul not to do otherwise.
I’m just praying Madam PM has had all her ‘shots.’ Was she not recently a victim of Dengue? One might reccommend immediate Quarantine on her return; I’m sure no one wants a repeat of Haiti…
http://news.yahoo.com/scientists-un-soldiers-brought-deadly-superbug-americas-194141189–abc-news.html
I hope your comment is truly sincere. It would do us all a disservice if it were trite and trifling…. at the expense of our cousins in Haiti.
Perhaps then there will be a crackdown on Mosquito breeding grounds as there was on conjoured up would be criminals looking to cause harm on the PM.
Quite an excelllent , and yes provocative post karibkween. Hopefully de frequently uptight anti T&T fans, would take your ever so subtle humor in THAT good spirit IT WAS INTENDED , and simultaneously focus on the bigger points you have alluded to, by the ABC story.
Here it is in greater detrail:- 1. There is a ardent need for long over due reform , so that the UN can fully live up to it’s lofty ideals , as opposed to covertly / overtly contributing to the problems, already on the ground.
2. The UN ,to many who are less informed , does not have a military force of it’s own , and so have to depend on the generousity of member state for troops , hence it’s ineffectiveness as far as enforcement ,and day to day activities, that goes beyond, glass clicking Security Council / GA,and Ambasadorial old talks, and treaty signing .
3.For most of the South Asian States, UN Peacekeeping, is just a cash cow exercise, to help balance their national budgets, hence the tragedy as played out in Haiti, and blatant cases of sexual abuses- with the well known, but not reported consequences – that have occured across the globe, by desperate soldiers, in search of natural release.
4. Many Industrialized , Global North ,NGO/Civil Society agents, are unfortunately ,mere extension of the evil, selfish , and exploitative , neo imperialist arms of their respective government , and corporate handlers, and therefore without an authentic , objective , none condesending, monitoring bodies, are running rough shod over the lives of memebers within the developing/ Global South- sometimes with tactic approvial with barbarian local elites , in and out of government- Haiti been no exception.
Just think of the possibilities , as to if the Caribbean had their acts together , so that in T&T for example ,instead of having our soldiers running around the country,stinking up de Police Joint , a la beating up on innocent folks, while pretending to enforce illigal regulations,and reactionary laws , they were instead utilize for more whole some disaster relief / humanitarian , peace building endevors – that , I might add, bring huge financial dividents, often ,for both sides, as well as more culturally sensitive Peace keeepers, within respective regions.
This adds to bigger , often unstated/ unexplored point karibkween, and that is the role of these emerging states such as India , China, Brazil, and such, who are likewise ladened with the same eurocntric thinking neo imperilist elites. They tend to prey on the sensibilities of psycologically desperate leaders , too egar to please the ancestors , then sighning away trities that does not serve our true interest.
Did I hear that folks from Her Majesty Queen K’s mother land, can come to T&T ,withoutv visa, and they have- SURPRISE , SURPRISE, keen interest in investing in our oil / gas industries? Well, there it is, scared to ask what we are getting in return in actuality. Nuff said.
Once more a fine response. Keep the faith my friend , as we have a country to save.
What subtlety, please….dispense with the sarcasm, it’s tawdry.
I got it… Nepalese spread cholera in Haiti. Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar travels to India (vast country with poor little Nepal a neighbor to the north). Nothing worthwhile to comment about the PM’s trip except …could she again contract a contagious disease (from her trip to that backwater that India is wink,wink)?…..yes, trifling I think.
Your 4 point “detrails”:
Yes, most reasonably informed would agree that the UN is long overdue for housecleaning, prosecution of some employees, serious reform and a re-commitment to it’s purpose. I dare say that most reasonably informed may agree that when faced with the sudden emergencies and crises so common to nations like ours, and the need for humanitarian intervention, “half a loaf is better than none”.
Unlike others , with their own ax to grind, all I care about today is asbout my country’s development , and the more useful roll it can play in the global community.
As such I personally do not give a hoot , if Her Magesty Queen K, or any of her proud South Asian cabinet members spend two weeks of every month in any country across the globle they wish, as long as in the end T&T , comes away looking like a rose , in terms of some socio economic com political benefit.
Remember AC ,to Luv Humanity!
You know my friend was recently describing to me what she considered “Superior” behavior/character in Apes; upon encountering an estranged Ape the new troop puts the hitherto unfamiliar animal through a rigorous examination, including a test for unknown and unwelcome bacteria/parasites; for the sole purpose of ensuring the safety of its original/natural members.
Too often humans elect leaders who aren’t naturally ‘Public Servants’ and thus must face the consequences of their leaders’ self-interest. It isn’t a coincidence that T&T’s recent (New Strain) Dengue outbreak coincided with the proliferation of illegal Chinese immigrants to our shores. One can only imagine what our new treaties with India might have in store for the citizens of T&T.
We do not live by ‘bread’ alone and just because someone’s waving money/free or favorable trade in our faces, doesn’t mean we should always accept; especially when our choice to accept, affects or reflects on another million plus other lives who have placed their trust you and HOPE that you’ll always be seeking THEIR interest.
The road to Hell is paved with Good intentions, so it isn’t about diplomacy its about doing your homework; kinda like our Ape cousins.
Blah, Blah, Blah…..Do some research on the causes and conditions that allow dengue to proliferate rather than cast aspersions on “illegal” Chinese immigrants. (is this in the same vein as Cholera/ /Nepal/India ?
Let me guess; you’re some root-less half-breed or a South Asian Trini still believing that if you identify with Asia (your Fatherland) you will avoid the stigma of racism that permeates the West?
If the conditions on the ground are the cause of the proliferation of the new Dengue superbug then it would have emerged among Trini nationals long before the appearance of illegal Chinese to our shores. If you were a true Trini you’d know that for those Trinis who are most likely to be affected, ‘Conditions on the Ground’ Haven’t Changed for Generations.
It’s the same as with those Haitians, who for generations have been using the untreated river water (an unsafe practise); until their innocence was compromised by the UN’s introduction of those Nepalese troops to their environment.
India reports new strain of ‘totally drug-resistant tuberculosis’ There is little hope for patients found to have virulent strain of lung disease, doctor says:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/46010460/ns/health-infectious_diseases/
Well the chickens have come home to roost: For how many years now, has the WHO and Western Drug regulators been appealing to the Indian and Chinese Governments to get a handle on “Fake Drugs?” These same Fake Drug manufacturers are responsible for drug resistant Malaria in Africa and all for the “Almighty Dollar.”
The more things change, the more they remain the same and Nature is Once Again proving the Oneness of Humanity:
Preach Brother Massey:
“We all know there is an awful deal of suffering in the world that cannot be considered as a mere individual question!–sufferings that we do not individually cause, and are not personally responsible for–sufferings bequeathed to us as individuals and as members of the State; for we have to bear the accumulated burdens of centuries on centuries of ignorance, or, worse still, of willful crime, and, worst of all, of wrong made sacred by religious sanction, and supported by Law and the Press. And the burden of the many crushes the individual to the earth; and the God of Justice appears to be blind to the case–makes no rush to the rescue, even when we suffer for the sins of others. Be sure even these can be turned to eternal account. But, he has this lesson to convey to the world—
Humanity is one. And the power that is has instituted certain laws–laws that operate for the species rather than the individual, an important distinction to be made in any interpretation of nature; laws that deal with the species as one in spite of our manifold diversities and our deified doctrine of every-one-on-his-own-hook-ism. He does not put forth his hand to take you off your hook when it happens to run into you particularly sharp, flesh or soul, and makes you supplicate or swear.
Establish what private relationship you can with your Maker, and derive what spiritual succor you may whilst bearing the burden, or writhing on the iron that enters you, the laws that do deal with humanity in the aggregate, and operate for the good of the species, will go grinding on with their larger revolutions that sub serve eternal interests whilst crushing terribly many smaller claims of individual life
For, mark this, the Eternal intends to show us that humanity is one, and the family is more than the individual member, the nation is more than the family, and the human race is more than the nation. And if we do not accept the revelation lovingly, do not take to the fact kindly, why then ’tis flashed upon us terribly, by lightning of hell, if we will not have it by light of heaven, and the poor neglected scum and canaille of the nations rise up mighty in the strength of disease, and prove the oneness of humanity by killing you with the same infection.” Gerald H. Massey
All I can say cuz Karibeenweek, is that you are on a roll, with these astute observations.
If I might add, developing some distinctive sense of national identity ,is just as important, as a first step to pursuing our national, and vital interest.
It’s understandable , but still sad ,that gocha, and oneupmanship politics seem to identify every action of leaders across our nation. Since every success, or failure is seen within the tribal glass lens , it is difficult to see us moving along a progressive continum.
I will expand with this on another occasion , by showing how countries like Little England Barbados for example view policy initiatives.
Don’t worry buddy , just maybe Marchael Mantano ,or one of Super Blue daughters, may diviate from their typical, prance and jig soca ditties , and bring a song , ot two ,on their next album addressing the Asian equalivant ,to this Bajan chicanery ,that remained the norm in our country, over the past 49 years , yes? How much we got for that Blimp again?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZqWLwZIncec
Its like I tried to explain to “Yoruba Israelite” I completely understand why everyone wants the benefits/bounty of the Black without having to deal with/acknowledge/show gratitude to the Black.
But the undeniable and inescapeable fact remains that out of Black we all came and Back to Black we shall all go; whether its that Black Hole in Space or that Black Hole six feet under. “Fade to Black.”
So true my friend. Listin, let’s cut through the chase, as there is ample evidence that humanity owes a debt of gratitude for the contributions , Afrikan gave the world.
In art , sports,educational intellectual endevors, economic development, resiliency of spirit, soulful grit / tolerance, and most importantly for me, politics,asAfrikan people have been second to none, a la par excellence.
Without their free labor , there would be no Europe North America , and all of South America / Caribbean, as we know it today.
Every meaningful revolutionary that ever occurred since the Black Jacobins , if historians are honest , will pay tribute where warranted.
The selfless humanist spirit, as exemplified by the likes of Desmond Tutu,Nelson Mandela, MLK, Casius Clay/ M Ali,Dr. Walter Rodney,CLR James, George Padmore, Stokley Carmichael, and Frantz Fanon, is far superior to any that can be conjured up, by bandito, egoistic,Euro tribal imperial competitors, and the self loating , fring groups,adoraters, who mimic them.
Speaking of the greatest revolutionary intellect ,of all time, in in Dr Fanon , he once said , “He who is reluctant to recognize me opposes me.”
Our moral obligation ,cuz karibkween ,is to find a way to enlighten the masses , especially the youth from this historically maligned people, as to their self worth.
Failure on this score , is unimaginable.
Luv Humanity!
AC-Give us a short list of specifically what the T&T Government is doing to “de-fang” Afro – Trinis?
Can’t resist this one sage Neal.
Short List, well ok.
(1) SOE that targets specific areas of crimes while mass stealing and pilfering at high levels continues unabated, and with a wink and a nod from the tribal nuevo Bramhinian national Leadership.
(2) Fabrication of an attempted assassination Plot, which, if it was not investigated thoroughly by Police who gave priority to their oath of office and the Law rather, than to Pavlovian offerings of the PP, would have allowed mass incarceration of Afro Trinis.
This tribe, regardless of geography, follow the same scripts when they get into power. If one examines the trend in Guyana, and what played out in Fiji, one would see how similar the stratagems are. Jagdeo of Guyana probably briefed Kamla on “the plan”, and she, with some local modification, put it into play in T&T.
I continue to tell Trinis to expect the worse from any regime associated with Sat Maharaj. We know him, know what he stands for, and what he hopes Trini will become. So we have to assume that what he envisions down the road, is the same vision in the mind of Kamla.
http://news.yahoo.com/scientists-un-soldiers-brought-deadly-superbug-americas-194141189–abc-news.html
It is sad , but abudantly clear, that 99% of the evils that befell Global Afrikans , are due in great measure , to their unfortunate interactions,misguided collaborations, and foolhardy partnerships, with others ,who naively think they are their superior.
As for T&T, where tribalism, is the order of de day? Well ,as the wise old folks used to say, ‘dat’s a horse of a different color ,’ so ‘where it hang , let it swing,’ until of course , better can be done.
We wish our historically suffering people well,and may they likewise find leaders that can protect their self interest, sooner , rather than later.
It was Belmont boy ,Stokley Carmichael who once said , “Before a group can enter the open society, it must first close ranks.”
Without his efforts , clueless Afrikans, would be still sitting on the back of American buses, eating at seperate resturants, with limited education for their kids.
We know what DE insecured father of de nation did to him , and so today, look what we got from ungrateful ,culturally depraved , anti nationalist,selfish greedy,and corrupt bozos.
Not coincidentaly , in Guyana ,another fake Afikan ,in Forbes Burnham, destroyed the life of perhaps the greatest intellectaul ever to emerge in the region, in Dr Walter Rodney.
Should we shead a tear for them today , as triumphalist rule the roost, who likewise / in similar fashion, to their confused Trini counterparts, are more excited about their ancestrial lands, than the collective welfare, of their own nationals?
Luv Humanity!
Quoting Karibkween:
Good to see you again…
We shouldn’t let Sentiment carry us away, when Knowledge and Understanding will take us wherever we want to go. As I said once to Neal, we shouldn’t emote, where instead we should think. That has, in part, been our problem as a people.
What does “out of Black we all came” mean, exactly? By whose observation and testimony is that a fact?
And even assuming, for the sake of argument, that it were a fact, how would that help us:
The issue is not blackness. Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery. Joseph wasn’t more or less black than his brothers. The problem was envy. Joseph had a dream that all his brothers would bow down to him. Isn’t it interesting that, lo and behold, yes indeed, his brothers all had to travel to Egypt during a famine, looking for food, and all ended up precisely bowing to their younger brother, Joseph, who had in the meantime become Prime Minister of Egypt? Not only that, but all the tribes of Egypt ended up enslaved in Egypt. Neal, would of course call it karma, while exhorting everyone to “luv” everyone, while reserving hatred for such as “Papa Deffy”, and Patrick Manning. As he might say, how clueless can you be? Please don’t join him in searching for clues, confining his search to the area immediately under the lamp-post of some speculative ideology.
Read the Book of Yahweh. It repays study far more abundantly than anything written by Gerald Massey. Trust me, I’ve read the Afro-centric canon, *and* I’ve read the Book of Yahweh cover to cover, *and* I’ve been trained as an engineer, mathematician and statistician, *and* I’ve been mistaken for a historian, despite stating disclaimers to the contrary. (I was part of an online debate on the “Black Athena”, “Out of Africa” issue, and found myself schooling members of the Academy in areas outside my own discipline.) I’ve since gone past my Egyptology phase.
Of course it is a comforting ideological assumption to suggest that the “Eternal intends to show us that humanity is one” (your Massey quote). It is as wonderfully sentimental and romantic as asserting, once a year on the two days of carnival, “all o’ we is one”. But where is the basis in Fact for such a statement, and on whose testimony?
The fact of the matter is that the Book of Yahweh has addressed all such important questions. And the fact is, that the answers that flow from the Book of Yahweh let us know that:
1) humanity is not all the same. But skin color is not at all the issue. Black Ishmaelites and Edomites were even more envious of Black Israelites than Joseph’s brothers were of him, and for the same reason; and
2) the Eternal nowhere says he intends to show us that humanity is one. That is “catholic” (universality) doctrine. It is in opposition to the plain testimony, throughout Scripture, of the Creator himself, and to the empirical facts of history and sociology, including right here in T&T.
If you would understand why it is the “Negro” and Bantu people of the world find ourselves in the peculiar position that we have, throughout the many countries to which we have been scattered, you *must* read the Book of Yahweh. The whole story is all there. The story is the story of the Israelites!
The Book is being fulfilled before our eyes. Bob Marley said it simply: “We’ve got to fulfill the Book!” And Desmond Dekker sang beautifully of our true identity as Israelites long before Bob Marley (see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5JHGi0awgc ).
The issue is not our black pigmentation (although generous helpings of melanin is a wonderful part of our gift from Yahweh). Rather it is the envy of those who have not been Chosen, for those who have. There are many black peoples, including Hebrew Ishmaelites and Hebrew Edomites and Hebrew Moabites and Hebrew Ammonites, who have ill-treated the Hebrew Israelites for that reason.
No my sister. Even in our down-trodden state, we have a star quality that other peoples envy. We have such abundant gifts that we seemingly value them not, and are profligate with them. That’s why we have geniuses like Calypsonian Merchant, who sold some of his greatest hits for embarrassingly little, and died a pauper. The story was the same for many black American singers and musicians. We also have our Brian Lara’s and Viv Richards’s. In America we have our Lebron James’ and Patrick Ewing’s and Michael Jordan’s. Truth be told, we have many unsung geniuses in science and engineering also. But if Joseph’s brothers ill-treated him out of envy, isn’t it not the just punishment of a just God, that we, the children of Israel, should, again and again, experience the evil that is envy.
Anyway, our punishment is nearing its end. It was all prophesied. The countdowns to the end of the rule of the gentiles have begun. St. John’s 42-month countdown (Revelation 13:5) began last May. Daniel’s 70-year countdown (Daniel 9:24-27) began with the Sharafat massacre of Feb 7, 1951, carried out by Israeli settlers in Palestine. For more information on what are the end-time portents see http://lawoftheholycovenantfoundation.org/Updates/11August03.html.
Shalom.
PS. But karibkween, you are quite right that they love our jazz, but not our jizz. If you think why, you will “see” that it has more to do with Envy than with Black. At any rate, the Bible is plain about the matter.
Ezekiel 35:11. Therefore, as I live, saith the Yahweh, I will even do according to thine anger, and according to thine envy which thou hast used out of thy hatred against them; and I will make myself known among them, when I have judged thee.
O my Israelite sister, heed the words of the prophet:
Ezekiel 12:2. Son of man, thou dwellest in the midst of a rebellious house, which have eyes to see, and see not; they have ears to hear, and hear not: for they are a rebellious house.
“Book of Yahweh has addressed all such important questions.”
Please point us to the passage that explains the chemical/physical composition of humanity so we can know for sure which elements of the Universe comprise an Israelite Human; and while your involvement in the “Black Athena” discussion is admirable I’d be much more interested in your participation in the discussion of the physics of a Black Hole.
Quoting karibkween:
We know what an Israelite is, the same way we know you are your mother’s daughter or your father’s son. We do not need to know chemistry, physics, algebra, geometry, or trigonometry (nod here to Sam Cooke) to KNOW these things. Paternity and maternity are only in doubt when Satan rules.
These many many generations distant from the original patriarch Jacob, there are also other things we need to know, certainly, specifically about prophecy. Yahweh kindly arranged for us to have the facts about these always nigh, as promised. DNA science, as we have seen, is mostly a snare and a delusion when applied to addressing this crucial question.
As to the physics of a “Black Hole”, I do not participate in that discussion.
Instead of theoretical speculation, here is Yahweh’s testimony as the Doer of the deed:
Isaiah 45:12. I have made the earth, and created man upon it: I, even my hands, have stretched out the heavens, and all their host have I commanded.
and
Isaiah 40:22. It is he that … stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in…
“Stretching out the heavens like a curtain”, or “spreading them out as a tent to dwell in”, as metaphors, make more sense to me than “Big Bang”. And Plasma Cosmology matches the curtain metaphor quite a bit better than Big Bang cosmology.
Black Holes are a theoretical construct, which acquire importance in stretching Big Bang theory to fit facts which have been observed, and in some cases only thought to have been observed. See for example the youtube clip http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sdSZBCRSjno (“Black Holes debunked with Plasma Cosmology: Electric Universe Astronomy”). For a time I followed the Electric Universe matter, and I still get email updates from the Thunderbolts Project, see http://www.thunderbolts.info/wp/2012/01/08/shooting-star/,
but frankly I am no longer that interested in the subject, and I no longer read them.
In any case, as a theoretical construct, Black Holes fall into the category of Speculation, not sure Knowledge. Therefore, I would decline from building any sort of argument that we “come from Black” based on such a foundation. Neither would I base any kind of argument on the Speculations of Massey or anyone else, no matter how sentimentally appealing they may be.
My dear Israelite sister, Daniel (see Chaps. 1-3 especially) and every prophet sent by Yahweh is testimony that Knowledge and Understanding may be obtained as a gift of the Creator, and without need of scientific Speculation. You know Karl Popper, so you should understand the limits of Science in its search for sure Knowledge.
With all the A-bombs, H-bombs, N-bombs, cell phones and computers, the Heathen have gotten rather big for their britches, and you have fallen for the hype. Don’t.
Here is what the Creator says:
Jeremiah 31:37. Thus saith Yahweh; If heaven above can be measured, and the foundations of the earth searched out beneath, I will also cast off all the seed of Israel for all that they have done, saith Yahweh.
The Heathen would wish for both, but they will fail on both counts. Thus saith Yahweh.
Shalom.
P.S.
O my Israelite sister, heed the words of the prophet:
Ezekiel 12:2. Son of man, thou dwellest in the midst of a rebellious house, which have eyes to see, and see not; they have ears to hear, and hear not: for they are a rebellious house.
Cuz YorubaIsraelite ,it’s 2012 buddy, and you are still trying to win the Afrikan is great ideological debate huh?For de record,it ain’t matter , if God is Afrikan, Adam was an Afrikan, or de devil was an Afrikan Serpent in the Garden of Eden, who raped blond hair Eve. The only thing that’s of importance today is, where folks are today , the direction they wish to go , and how they propose to do so?
The Afrikan Jewish rebranding narative is wonderful , I might add ,but time to move the discussion on.
There is absolutely no reson to doubt the facts that Afrikan folks are the most despised people on earth. In Big brother America por ejemplo,Republican Presidential front runner Mitt Romney belongs to the Mormon religion, and they in their pagan Bible , have some of the most vile things to say of Afrikan folks, since -it is claimed -Cain their geneological father, murdered Abel.
Here is another food for thought that bolster my research on a certain reality. There are only two Indo Politicians in All of America ,a proud Christian convert Shikh,call Nikki Haley, and Hindu, turn Christian, Bobby Jindal . To hear them describe Afrikan folks , along with the President , one would swear they too could trace their roots to Europe. It is the reality that our kids have to deal with , as one is certain their policy would reflect biases,just like many of their white Euro American massas, across this great nation.
Let us move across to T&T where a certain phony triumphalism rules- surprise , surprise at the demonization of Afrikans, and the glorification of everything ….. well, one can fill in de blanks.
This is the context , I wish to see our debate focus on. How do we change stupid perception, and find a way to elevate peoples who historically accepts their sub par fate?
I have some ideas, but….. well, one hand cannot clap, yes?
Your call.
Neal:
I am not engaged in any sort of ideological debate. Every ISM and IDEOLOGY on offer in the marketplace of ideas is of Satan.
The search that you must engage in is not a search for an ideology that fits you like a well tailored suit. The search is for Truth.
Truth is not ideology, it is not an idea, it is not sentiment. It is not any sort of ISM. It is what IZ. You find it in the testimony of the Creator, nowhere else. That is where you start. Everything else is derivative.
We have had that discussion before, I don’t wish to repeat it. All I would say is that, in your rebellion, you have ears that do not hear, and eyes that do not see. Selah.
Rebranding? Afrikan? Jewish?
The first rule of effective debate is to listen and at least try to comprehend what your opponent is saying. The debate is not joined unless you do so.
What exactly, is an “Afrikan” (with a “k” too besides)? Do you know what that is supposed to mean? From whose loins does such a person come?
If you “brand” yourself an “Afrikan”, I suppose any discussion of true identity based on seedline descent, would be construed as a “re-branding”. But the reclamation of true identity is no sort of “branding”. “Branding” is something done with hot iron, by a master to his property.
What is passed on from father to son is not any sort of “brand”, it is identity. It is an aspect of Reality, of Truth. It is also destiny, for as children of Israel, we do have a prophesied destiny, like it or not.
It is Satan’s job to make you complicit in your own (false) “branding”, and he will happily offer you any number of “re-brandings” from his market-place of ideas, ideologies, and ISMs. What he does *not* want, is for you to reject all of them, and submit instead humbly to the Truth.
The simple Truth is that we, the slave descendants of the West, are Israelites. That Truth is inside of us, it is a blood inheritance passed on from father to son, go back to Jacob/Israel. All the “brandings” and “re-brandings” are mere outer garments that change nothing of the blood inheritance coursing through our veins.
What I am sure of is that there will be no “Afrika” gene or chromosome coursing through your veins — that is an impossibility of category. The metaphor of landmass as blood identity is fine, but the true poet knows not to stretch a metaphor too far. When you see yourself as a landmass, the logical brain-computer does not permit you to see yourself as something perceived outside the boundaries of that landmass. The land of Israel is perceived as outside of Afrika, the landmass, therefore your logical brain-computer (nod here to Cress-Welsing) will not allow you to consider that perhaps you are Israelite by blood.
What exactly, is a “Jew”? How is being “Jew” different from being “Jewish”? Is it like the difference between “red” and “reddish”? And how is “Jewish” different from “Israelite”?
The simple answer to these things is given in Scripture. There are indeed fake Jews (impostors), and real Jews. A real Jew is one who is blood descended from Yahudah/Judah, the 4th son of Jacob. Millions of Yahoodees were scattered south and west into Africa after the Roman sack of Jerusalem in 70 CE. That is historical fact, look it up. The capital city of Cameroon is named Yaounde, after these black/African/Israelite/Yahoodee people. They were all over Central and West Africa, East and South Africa also. The Lemba retained much of their Israeliteness, also their tribal lore, and books have been written about the Hebrewisms of West Africa. Therefore a real Jew/Yahoodee would be an Israelite, but not all Israelites are Jews. And there are fake Jews — Khazar Jews, Sephardic Jews, Edomite Jews — who say they are Jews and are not, but are of the synagogue of Satan (Revelation 2:9, 3:9).
I am tasked to bring to my brethren knowledge of who the true Israelites and Jews are. In your ignorance you brush it off as “re-branding”.
Satan has got you coming and going. Guess who it is that is “clueless”, to use one of your favorite taunts?
You cannot debate seriously unless you show a healthy regard for categories, and meaning, and are resolute in rejecting false categories, and false distinctions. The purpose of healthy debate is to seek for, find, and then abide in Truth. I have given you some clues, my brother, that you not remain clueless. But don’t take my word, do your own research!
Shalom.
Ezekiel 12:2. Son of man, thou dwellest in the midst of a rebellious house, which have eyes to see, and see not; they have ears to hear, and hear not: for they are a rebellious house.
You may be right Yarouba Iz.Just keep smacking away on that granitelike rock ,and who knows,maybe,it just might crumble someday- if dat is your end game.
I know who sent me, and I am obedient to my task. I certainly don’t see you or the rebellious house to whom I am sent as “granitelike”, rather merely ignorant.
I have no doubt that some are invincibly so. That may be inferred from:
Daniel 12:10. “…but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.”
But equally it may be inferred that “the wise” will understand. My contribution to this blog is devoted to them.
Although it may seem to you that I waste my time hitting myself against your granitelike wall, I understand clearly that there are readers out there that I do not know and moreover never will. But Yahweh most assuredly does. Therefore I’m simply obedient to my task.
The “end game” is not up to you or me, and you delude yourself if that is what you think.
Yahweh will make up his jewels in this latter day:
Malachi 3:17. “And they shall be mine, saith Yahweh of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.”
I am grateful that he is using me, as he is using many others of his children and servants, to spread his word.
You may hear or forebear. Whichever way, I lose no sleep over it. My job is to blow the trumpet. Whether you wake up or not is strictly up to you, and the Most High.
Shalom.
“Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.” Matthew 5:15 of de BlackSunGod stolen St J ames Bible.
What I am saying essentially in my scripural quote is that having what I fervently believe is the truth, but locking oneself in an underground batcave ,to whisper it ,would never advance the cause for humanity – if again, that’s the end game.
Some say, that speaking and admonishing , only the converted, is an exercise in frutility, which will then lay the foundations for opaque leaders, pushing their fringe groups , paganists ideas, or worst yet, cultual bandits, and morally depraved creatures, who instead,will push their own narrow , self serving agendas- desguised as socially progressive, political change.
This is 2012, and it’s time to use the technological tools available ,to re-educate the masses in supporting their own interest.
We are seeing the impact of a global phenomenom- grassroot advocacy – led by a vibriant, united, and empathetic Middle Class, more concerned with empowerment of struggling masses, as opposed to garnering accolades, or getting their egos massage.
I am always amused by the number of (yes)Afrikans intellectuals, who choose to spend their time on Trini center , trying to enlighten us as to their intellegence, and abilities to write/ disect a sentnce with perfection , like Prince Williams, or Winston Churchill, but another issue for another occasion.
Having said all of this , let me end by adding, that I think you have someting here, that’s worth protecting, but the challenge for you remains, knowing who is on your side , as opposed to real enemies.
Stay engaged my friend, and remember ,the words of an old A’Level teacher of mine ,who admonished us that ,’ something is good if t works.’
We wish our people well.
Luv Humanity!
Those of us (yes) Israelites, who stray from the straight and narrow path laid down for us by Yahweh, are playthings of the devil, whether they are aware of it or not.
I am not against letting your light to shine. I am against the strangely sulfurous odour associated with it.
We Israelites are for the most part free of guile, therefore we fall easily for “sweet” doctrines such as “luv humanity” and “all o’ we is one”, and “the Eternal intends to show us that humanity is one”, etc.
That is a grave error. Consider:
“1Woe to the rebellious children, saith Yahweh, that take counsel, but not of me; and that cover with a covering, but not of my spirit, that they may add sin to sin: 2That walk to go down into Egypt, and have not asked at my mouth; to strengthen themselves in the strength of Pharaoh, and to trust in the shadow of Egypt! 3Therefore shall the strength of Pharaoh be your shame, and the trust in the shadow of Egypt your confusion.
…
8Now go, write it before them in a table, and note it in a book, that it may be for the time to come for ever and ever: 9That this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of Yahweh: 10Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits: 11Get you out of the way, turn aside out of the path, cause the Holy One of Israel to cease from before us. 12Wherefore thus saith the Holy One of Israel, Because ye despise this word, and trust in oppression and perverseness, and stay thereon: 13Therefore this iniquity shall be to you as a breach ready to fall, swelling out in a high wall, whose breaking cometh suddenly at an instant.” (Isaiah 30).
There is no merit in prophesying “smooth things” that are not True.
Consider the fate of false prophets, who preach lies, sweet or not, to the house of Israel:
“15Then said the prophet Jeremiah unto Hananiah the prophet, Hear now, Hananiah; Yahweh hath not sent thee; but thou makest this people to trust in a lie. 16Therefore thus saith Yahweh; Behold, I will cast thee from off the face of the earth: this year thou shalt die, because thou hast taught rebellion against Yahweh. 17So Hananiah the prophet died the same year in the seventh month.” (Jeremiah 28).
My brother, I am not against you. I am against the teaching of false doctrines, no matter how sweet. Those who preach them are false prophets. If I do not call you out on them, I am answerable:
“6But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman’s hand. 7So thou, O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me. (Ezekiel 33).
When I say, I have been sent by Yahweh to do what I am doing, I am doing so, aware as I do so, of the grave penalty that awaits those who claim to have been sent, and have not. You may hear or forebear.
Shalom.
It only takes one bad apple to ruin the bunch. Woogey Boogy to all and may all try to retain sanity.
Yeah Curtis ,we know , and that’s how the citizens of your new country Canada, does it. They too say ‘woogey boogy,’ hummm?The follies of fellow citizens, are amazing.
Quoting Curtis:
From the Urban Dictionary:(http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Woogie%20Boogie)
“Woogie Boogie:
It refers to a african’s native tongue and how every other word sounds like woogie or boogie. When a white person uses it, they use it to mock. Same with ooga booga, or talking to Mr. and Mrs. Click Click Durk from west africa.
HEY! You niggers turn that music down! Niggers make me sick! WOOGIE BOOGIE NIGGER! WOOGIE BOOGIE! – Clayton, Black Klansmen”
When Curtis persists in his “woogey boogy” put-down — it’s about the third time that he has used it — is he aware that he is aligning himself with Clayton, the black Klansman?
Shalom.
“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.” (Hosea 4:6)
Clayton Bigsby was a character from a skit on the Dave Chappelle show. For you Youruba, I will just say, “Blah, Blah, Blah” if it makes you feel better. Clearly we are all communicating in English which is not an African tongue last I checked. It is in english that our conversations are taken over by the gibberish and hokus pokus beliefs of one individual on his own personal mission which is not in line with what sane, normal people are talking about. Your faith is not fact to anyone else but you.