Stop gambling? Manning must be crazy

By Raffique Shah
October 08, 2006

It is instructive that in a National Budget of $38 billion during fiscal 2006-07, the two proposals that have generated the fiercest controversies are the Finance Minister’s bid to clamp down on gambling and increased taxes on alcohol and tobacco. Retirees and pensioners have zeroed in on the less-than-caring manner in which they continue to be treated. The unemployed and under-employed have stayed silent, if only because they are not taxed on their meagre earnings or alms. And many of the concerns over the negative impact inflation has on people’s purchasing power seem to have simmered down.
Continue reading Stop gambling? Manning must be crazy

Dealing with Colourism

A Step Towards the African Revolution

By Leslie, africaspeaks.com
October 05, 2006

www.trinidadandtobagonews.com

EmancipationThe session at the last Moonlight Gathering in September was highly profound and without a doubt, edifying and interesting. Usually, after a period of song, poetry, drumming and other chosen activities, the group at the Moonlight Gathering would engage an issue; any issue that we feel worth discussing and for whatever reasons. However, the last gathering was the first time that the discussion was so heated; so much so, that some chose to ‘stay out of the kitchen’.
Continue reading Dealing with Colourism

A very dangerous man

By Raffique Shah
October 01, 2006

I wish members of the Catholic community, many of whom have defended Pope Benedict’s recent statements that insulted Islam, could feel what it’s like for a religion, its leader and its ardent members to be pilloried or mocked by writers, or worse, by leaders of another faith.

Pope Benedict’s choice of a quotation from an ancient emperor, “Show me just what (the Prophet) Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman…,” was not accidental, as many made it out to be. It has to be seen in the context of today’s George Bush and Tony Blair-led “crusade” against what they have dubbed “radical Islam”, but what has turned into a virtual holy war against Muslims in general.
Continue reading A very dangerous man

Sharma’s road to London

By Francis Joseph, newsday.co.tt
Sunday, October 1 2006

AFTER Chief Justice Clinton Bernard retired in 1995, Appeal Court Justice Sat Sharma was next in line for the coveted post of head of TT’s judiciary. But he did not get the job. The position went instead to an eminent attorney, Michael de la Bastide SC. So Sharma waited. His turn eventually came in July 2002 and he was appointed Chief Justice by then President Arthur NR Robinson.
Continue reading Sharma’s road to London

Manning ‘bombed’ by Bombardier

By Raffique Shah
September 24, 2006

Politicians, especially those who are in power, must know they are under intense public scrutiny, whatever they say or do. Once they have offered themselves for office and are elected by the people, they become public property. It’s a reality that many may be uncomfortable with. But if you commit yourself to politics, expect the masses to offer you no quarter. Opposition politicians can get away with murder or slightly lesser crimes when they reduce themselves to comic status, when they provide entertainment, not serious challenge for office.
Continue reading Manning ‘bombed’ by Bombardier

Cussing and Critical Interpretation

By Dr. Selwyn R. Cudjoe
September 24, 2006

Every parent has a right (nay a responsibility) to monitor what his or her child reads and to comment upon its appropriateness or non-appropriateness. It follows that the Ministry of Education has to assume the responsibility for the materials that are taught in our schools rather than pass the blame on to “professional experts” who have been selected to choose the materials. Apart from the desire to expunge “literary material that is unsavory” to our children, the Ministry of Education must offer a better explanation of what literary material is selected and why.
Continue reading Cussing and Critical Interpretation

Hugo Chavez Address to the United Nations

By Hugo Chavez

Address to the UN New York – September 20, 2006

First, and with all respect, I highly recommend this book by Noam Chomsky, one of the most prestigious intellectuals in America and the world, Chomsky. One of his most recent works: Hegemony or Survival: America’s Quest for Global Dominance (The American Empire Project). [Waves the book in front of General Assembly.] It’s an excellent work to understand what’s happened in the world in the 20th Century, what’s currently happening, and the greatest threat on this planet; the hegemonic pretension of the North American imperialism endangers the human race’s survival.
Continue reading Hugo Chavez Address to the United Nations