The Confidence Game.

Dictionary.com at "http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/confidence" defines "confidence" as follows:

con⋅fi⋅dence: /ˈkɒnfɪdəns/ ...Pronunciation [kon-fi-duhns]
–noun
1. full trust; belief in the powers, trustworthiness, or reliability of a person or thing: We have every confidence in their ability to succeed.
2. belief in oneself and one's powers or abilities; self-confidence; self-reliance; assurance: His lack of confidence defeated him.
3. certitude; assurance: He described the situation with such confidence that the audience believed him completely.
4. a confidential communication: to exchange confidences.
5. (esp. in European politics) the wish to retain an incumbent government in office, as shown by a vote in a particular issue: a vote of confidence.
6. presumption; impudence: Her disdainful look crushed the confidence of the brash young man.
7. Archaic. something that gives confidence; ground of trust.
—Idiom
8. in confidence, as a secret or private matter, not to be divulged or communicated to others; with belief in a person's sense of discretion: I told him in confidence.

The Trinidad Express newspaper, invokes "confidence" as the essence for its editorial of February 27, 2009 -describing how quickly things have settled down "after the initial shock and the period of high anxiety and uncertainty created" by the Trinidad and Tobago's Central Bank's (CBTT) January-2009, Guns-of-Navaronelike storming of CL Financial Holdings Limited.

As in:

"Confidence key to settling economy" -the caption; then
"...Confidence was always the key and the relative ease and swiftness with which it was demonstrated to be intact is a simply powerful statement about this aspect of the country's economy (the financial services sector)." -the epilogue.(http://www.trinidadexpress.com/index.pl/article_opinion?id=161434127)

While Alistair MacLean's "Guns of Navarone" is described by Wikipedia as a tome that:

"...brought together elements that would characterise much of MacLean's subsequent works: tough, competent, worldly men as main characters; frequent but non-graphic violence; betrayal of the hero(es) by a trusted associate..." (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Guns_of_Navarone_(novel),

the hereof focus firmly is fixed upon the Expressed attempt to assuage a with-very-good-reason-still-so-to-be very-shaken Trinbagonian public that "all's quiet on the western front". Why else would it give prominence to the expression "confidence"? Pun intended.

There are as yet many unanswered questions over what went down/is still going down with the CL Financial bailout and, sadly, Trinbagonians-in-the-street shall hapless remain, because of their Fourth Estate's penchant for vacuousness, rather than daring incisiveness -as displayed by the same "ordinary citizens" whom the Express editorial in question in passing mentions.

Case in point! On February 3rd, Peter O'Connor, of Cascade, Trinidad, sent an email to media houses which was published the next day in -Yep! That's correct!- the Trinidad Express. Peter rang the alarm this way:

Did Minister Conrad Enill stand in Parliament on Monday, and in explaining why the National Gas Company withdrew funds on deposit with CLICO Investment Bank, tell the House of Representatives that the money was to give to a subsidiary in order to meet PAYE obligations?
If that is what he said, does this not beg the question: where was the money that the subsidiary was deducting from employees' payrolls?
Am I alone?
Peter O'Connor
Cascade (http://www.trinidadexpress.com/index.pl/article_opinion?id=161434127)

And, that was that! No journalist seized on Peter's cue! None! Eternally one who strives to put the best construction to things -even in the face of portents overwhelmingly insisting otherwise to do- permit, then, the defending of their inaction by mentioning that no record of what Minister Enill said is to be had from the Trinbago Parliament's records. Don't misinterpret, please! "No record...to be had..." means precisely what it says, for, as at today's date -February 27, 2009- almost one months having passed, there aren't any publicly-available Hansard records available of the debate to which Enill contributed. (See: http://www.ttparliament.org/publications.php?mid=30)

This major lapse on the part of the House Speaker and or the Clerk of The House invites swift rejection of what the Express editor attempts to argue. And the suspicion that more lies in the bailout mortar than the CL Financial Holdings's pestle. How else may one interpret such a denial of the people's right to view and review its business -which is the business to which every public official attends?

An erudite parliamentary colleague of Minister Enill, in endorsing what Peter highlighted, privately commented to a small group as follows:

"Peter (is) not alone.
Enill has publicly admitted that funds deducted from employees wages and intended for immediate payment to the Board of Inland Revenue have been improperly withheld for investment purposes.
The BIR should have some views on this irregularity."

In concurring, the question has of necessity to be asked, "Do government agencies, especially the likes of the Auditor-General and Board of Inland revenue, monitor the goings-on in these Parliament debates? This country's parlous track record in dealing with corruption in public office suggests otherwise.

All of which adds to the pot of suspicion John and Jane Public see bubbling every which way they turn.

All of which also leads the erstwhile but beleaguered couple to conclude that the confidence of which the Express editor speaks is the one not mentioned in the above dictionary.com quote: that of
confidence game

any elaborate swindling operation in which advantage is taken of the confidence the victim reposes in the swindler. (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/Confidence%20game)

which, from the time it came into existence -nigh on fifty-four years ago- the People's National Movement, for the cognoscenti, always unequivocally manifested itself to be. As a result, over that time, a people's mistrust of their government has descended to the present level, where the second abovementioned dictionary.com definition of confidence has utterly become lost to the present generation of Trinbagonians.

But, supposedly, Trinbago's parliamentary traditions are founded on those of old "Mother" England. Ergo, in times of overburdened distress, to her must turn Trinbagonians for solace. And inspiration. Of the type eons ago given by Alexander Pope who wrote these immortal lines:

"Hope springs eternal in the human breast: Man never is, but always To be blest..."

"Confidence" -as in 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 above- shall come not back to this currently-accursed place, lest something urgently is done to galvanize the majority to find and install a new breed of national leadership. Sort of like what the USA recently did.

All in favour, say, "Aye!"

Okay, aye-sayers! Tarry ye no longer! Go forth and multiply!

Let WICB feel the full wrath!

Having already discerned and then predicted it would happen (http://kid5rivers.blogspot.com/2009/02/tony-coziers-exposed-slip.html), the discarding/dropping/dumping/dismissing-without-a-first-look of Lendl Simmons, from the West Indies test cricket team, is cause, if not for Caribbean-wide, certainly Trinidad and Tobago-wide, shame.

How on Earth a batsman so on top of his game -as Lendl has been- could be omitted, thoroughly baffles/mystifies/bewilders true aficionados; bitter feelings which are exacerbated, after remembering what he did to the English side at the end of January last, back in Basseterre, St. Kitts...and, since then.

Warner Park, St. Kitts: January 30, 2009.
Lendl Simmons raises his bat to celebrate his double century against England.
Photo: http://tinyurl.com/bk8rsu

Seems like nothing worthwhile was ever learnt from what the Mighty Sparrow sang umpteen years ago?

"...The selectors obey me like children.
That is why they didn’t pick Bernard Julien.
They have fame but they want money like me and Gerry,
So they won’t play again in this country!

Policy? - I alone know that!
Just agree - to field, bowl and bat!
Human right ehn in cricket!
That is just for politics!
I am Stollmeyer, cricket czar,
Controlling the Empire!..."

Sparrow's rhyme and verse were intended to vent the full wrath of Trinbagonians against the endemic spiteful victimization of top-flight West Indian cricketers, who, in the end, decided to flee from West Indies Cricket Board of Control -as it was then called- oppression and seek better appreciation for their talent by playing in Australia in a "rogue" competition organized by Australian media tycoon, Kerry Packer.

In light of the remuneration packages offered modern-day West Indian test cricketers, the persistent mistreatment of Lendl Simmons can be viewed as oppression, an oppression that's on par with what the Packers "rogues" underwent.

And, the pervasive view that Tony Cozier has a hand in handing down such oppression so pervasive is, that one is sorely tempted to review Mighty Sparrow's lyrics; then rework them as follows:

"...The selectors obey me like children,
That is why they reject Lendl when ah tell dem
Tho he real good wid the bat I say no chance for he
So send him home to play for his country.

I does choose - and doh doubt that!
Win or lose - who bowl, field and bat!
Human right ehn in cricket
That is just for politics
I am Cozier, cricket czar,
Controlling the empire!..."

Then, raise all Trinbagonian voices to let the West Indies Cricket Board feel the full wrath.

Needed! Hot iron approach to solving crime.

In order of precedence (determined by which was the most-sanitized), the Trinidad Express ("Soldier shot dead in Laventille" by Denyse Renne), the Trinidad Guardian ("Soldier gunned down" by Geisha Kowlessar) and the Trinidad Newsday ("Soldier murdered in John John" by Indarjit Seuraj) each essayed to report on the apparent murder of Trinidad and Tobago Regiment soldier (Andy Boucaud), whose gruesomely bullet-riddled body was found lying, face down, in the front yard of his humble home which straddles one of the many hillocks of Laventille, port of Spain, this one in an area known as Africa.

Were one inclined solely to "read it in de Express", not an eyelid would have raised, far less, vigourously rubbed in disbelief, such was the stunningly superficial manner in which news of Boucaud's felling to a wearied-by-the-bloody-avalanche-of-the-past-eight-years Trinbagonian public by Denyse Renne relayed. Truth be told, her version calls to mind what a gory crime scene resembles, but after it's scrubbed clean.

All that's been thus far writ serves merely to point to the reaction of the same weary public, when the true picture emerges, as painted by the Newsday, of how eight-year veteran Andy Boucaud lost his life and of how the community in which he chose to plant his roots truly views the law and officers of the law.

Listen to Indarjit Seuray in the Newsday!

"...Residents said they heard gunshots at about 3 am, but no one called the Police and Boucaud’s body was found at about 8.55 am yesterday. Investigators had responded at the scene, but did not identify the body which was found lying face down until they were ready to remove it. Rumours that the body might have been that of Boucaud’s, were confirmed when four soldiers arrived on the scene and positively identified him..."

Almost also makes those who know it, call to mind the opening bars of Charles Wolfe's classic poem, "The Burial of Sir John Moore".

"Not a drum was heard, not a funeral note..."

All that's been thus far writ also serves to express (pun intended) the weary public's utter bewilderment, even disgust, over the attitude of the police officers on the scene, who, again according to the Newsday:

"...Enraged by the killing of their colleague just hours earlier, a team of Defence Force officers yesterday stormed into the community of Africa, John John, in Laventille, in a bid to find out who killed the soldier.
But their efforts were quickly thwarted by Police investigators who...
...reminded the soldiers that it was a crime scene, and they had no business raiding houses there...
Their intended searches...were halted by Homicide detective Sgt Andrews who took command of the scene, and ordered the soldiers out from the crime scene. The soldiers seemed intent on ignoring the orders of the investigators and two other officers standing nearby intervened to warn the soldiers of their actions..."

Take careful note that the soldiers swift and decisive actions were forestalled the police officers, even though it would have been clear to the most bumble-footed of the latter lot, that the community didn't give a damn as to the who, what, why of Boucaud's horrible demise (No one alerted the police until mid-morn, some six hours after the bullets harbingering his death screamed forth from their chambered nests!). Which is why, again relying on the Newsday:

"...Police are still to determine a motive for the killing, but revealed that Boucaud’s camouflage kit had been stolen from his home, which was later ransacked by his killers.
Investigators also remained baffled as to how the killers were able to steal everything from the soldier’s house, yet no one had seen or heard anything..."

That they saw nor heard anything out by itself to confirm that the events surrounding Andy's mortal demise reveal the true nature of the surroundings in whose he chose to nestle. It's an acknowledgment that further bolstered were one to view, with cryptic criticism, what the Newsday, immediately after the last above of its quotes, said:

"...But some residents in the area, whose identities have been withheld, claimed that Boucaud used to terrorise his neighbours and “pull rank” on them..."

Everything considered, the soldiers ought to have been allowed to ferret out the perpetrators, as was done last year, after something similar took place in Richplain, Diego Martin.

It's time a weary public demands that, in future, the police allow them so to do, since what occurred in Africa, John John, is the icing on the cake. What cake? That when it comes to solving crime, the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service has not a clue. What clue? That a criminal's trail is ferrous by nature, therefore the best and only sensible way to make something good of it is by striking out on it whilst it's still hot.

ALGICO: Giant? Or, windmill?

Having previously commented on the changed ownership structure of ALGICO, the insurance company based on St. Vincent Street, Port of Spain -see: ALGICO just got owned, which points out that, as a direct result of its having taken control of the American International Group (AIG), the US government also became owner of ALGICO.

And, having also observed the convulsions yet rocking CL Financial Holdings Limited, its just-down-the-street neighbour -see: CL Financial placed under lockdown- it behooves urgently bringing to the Trinbagonian public's notice that AIG -which, remember, owns ALGICO- seems set to go into bankruptcy.

Some may dispute the need for this alarm, by saying, "Bah! Humbug! He's seeing giants where windmills stand!" But they'd be wrong, or at least CNBC'd be wrong! For it's CNBC who, today -Carnival Tuesday, February 24, 2009- alerts that AIG will soon report a 2008 last quarter loss of U$60 billion and, unless it gets another emergency massive cash transfusion from the US government, it would collapse. (http://www.cnbc.com/id/29353282)

Now, the US government had already given massive cash transfusions to AIG -over U$152 billion- all of which was pumped into the ailing corporation in 2008 -under the Troubled Assets Relief Program (TARP), a program designed and implemented just last year, whereby the US government buys assets and equity from troubled financial institutions in a desperate effort to bolster the US financial sector.

For the record, TARP is the largest component of the US government's measures to address the subprime mortgage crisis. (http://en.wikipedia.orgwiki/Troubled_Assets_Relief_Program)

The realization that, despite its so rapidly and entirely consuming the U$152 billion aid package, AIG would still -and so soon- rack up such a huge loss -its biggest ever- has caused shock and awe so great that AIG itself seems prepared for the worst case scenario -that of the US government stepping in to say, "Enough! Let's shut this thing down!" Which, by the way, even now it can do, as it got 80% of AIG's stock in exchange for the 2008 bailout, as "ALGICO just got owned" indicated.

How else to interpret the snippet that in anticipation of the US government refusing to advance new help, AIG's lawyers -Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP- have been instructed to start preparing for the possibility of bankruptcy. According to CNBC? (http://www.cnbc.com/id/29353282)

In the light of the above, especially when coupled to the fact that almost 90% of the risk underwritten by local insurance companies is reinsured with overseas companies, ALGICO's stoic silence surely spurs speculation whether ALGICO is a giant, or a windmill.

Just when everyone was saying, "Only God could help!"

Seems like these days not even prayers can be relied on to bring relief from the global economic woes?

For, OMG, news coming out from the USA via The Charlotte Observer indicates that:

The Charlotte-based Billy Graham Evangelistic Association is laying off about 10 percent of its staff.

“With the economy the way it is, we need to make sure we're tightening our belts as much as we can,” Ken Barun, the ministry's senior vice president for communications...said. (And that)...full-time employees who are laid off get a month's notice, a severance package, and “outplacement” and spiritual counseling. (http://www.charlotteobserver.com/597/story/556501.html)

Just when everyone was saying, "Only God could help!"

Geronimooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!

Today, at 4:03 pm EST (daylight saving time), in the US House of Representatives (HOR), House Resolution (HR) No. 132 was passed without objection and with the required special majority.

The resolution was an attempt by the US Congress to set a major wrong right, by giving honorable recognition to the life and contribution of Geronimo.

Geronimo (Chiricahua: Goyaa 2 é, "one who yawns"; often spelled Goyathlay or Goyahkla in English) was born on June 16, 1829 in what is now called Clifton, Arizona, USA.

He was a prominent Native American leader of the Chiricahua Apache who, for several decades, fought against Mexico and the United States over their expansion into Apache tribal lands.

The resolution was introduced by the Representative from Guam, Representative Madeleine Bordallo. (Picture below).

GERONIMOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Guadeloupe et Martinique, je suis désolé!

Well! Faye Anne done publicly whipped her husband! And Silver Stars copped the Panorama crown for the first time! And, by the time this is begun to be read, news would have been had of who is the 2009 Calypso Monarch.

But all those trivia would not diminish the horrors occurring just a few hundred miles north of Trinidad and Tobago, much closer home than Jamaica, where the West Indies united to whip the pants off a clueless England less than a fortnight ago in a test cricket match. And closer, too, than Antigua, where, again, the West Indies team united, this time not once more to trounce, but, instead, to stave off humiliating defeat by a strongly resurgent England.

Horrors? Yes! Horrors! For there's ongoing turmoil dans les rues de Basse-Terre, Forte-de-France et Pointe-a-Pitre, as frustrated Guadeloupais et Martiniquais masses run riot in protest over longstanding economic and social disparities.

Frustration over low pay and the high price of basic goods was the catalyst that ignited the unrest that began on January 20, 2009 with islandwide strikes. But it was the harsh response of the colonial master -the French government- that fanned the seething rage into open riots which saw the twin islands brought to their knees and tourists fleeing in fear for their lives.

In the melée, buildings, cars, have been burnt, by angry mobs. And gangs of armed young men openly roam the streets, challenging any who dare oppose or not heed them. According to official reports.

Photo of Rampage in Guadeloupe
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/02/19/article-1150062-038DC12A000005DC-964_468x286.jpg

Then, on Wednesday last -Feb 18, 2009- top Guadeloupais trade unionist, Jacques Bino, was shot dead as he was on his way home. According to official reports coming out of France, he was hit by gunfire from one of those armed gangs -"according to official reports", all know, normally means, "there's more in the mortar than the protruding pestle it contains". But that's not the hereof focus.

The thrust is that while such murderous and open strife rages in her neighbour's yard, Trinidad and Tobago blissfully unconcerned remains, as there's hardly a peep about it in any of her local news-reporting. Nor has any statement of concern been uttered by any in officialdom.

Is it because there's a lack of awareness, or, aloofness, maybe driven by the urgent insistence that nothing must stop -or detract from news of- the Carnival? Or because there's the still-lingering, benumbing bewilderment over the recent CL Financial Holdings bacchanal and the one that closely-followed that -Allen Stanford's abrupt unmasking? What is it that fosters such nonchalance where woes with West Indian compères are concerned?

Whatever it be, it certainly assists in unravelling the mystery as to why, both the West Indies Federation and CARICOM failed -Quoiqu'on est tous est dans le même bain, mais la plupart jamais comprend que l'union fait la force! (Even though they all are in the same boat, yet most never appreciate that united they stand, divided they fall!).

Thus, to the vast majority of anglophone Caribbean natives -and their leaders- though francophone Guadeloupe et Martinique are part of the West Indies, they just don't exist, as divisiveness born of their different colonial lineage renders the twin islands total strangers in their midst.

Perhaps when the 2k9 Carnival frivolities subside, David Rudder might think fit to compose a haunting je suis désolé for Guadeloupe et Martinique, like he previously did for Haiti. It would be good of him so to do, for though it won't be good enough to make full amends, at least it would show that one other person in Trinidad and Tobago did sit up and take notice.

Tony Cozier's exposed slip.

PREAMBLE:

What do they know of cricket, who only about cricket comment?

THE EVIDENCE:

Forgive the tweaking of the immortal words of Trinbagonian Hero, Cyril Lionel Robert James, but the question begs asking in light of the latest commentary by Tony Cozier as, despite the highest of esteem his supremely laudatory erudition -where running commentary of cricket matches-in-progress is concerned- engenders for him, yet, over time, not infrequent concerns have been expressed as to the true nature of Tony Cozier's disposition towards cricketers native to Trinidad and Tobago.

And with good cause, for history reveals that he was utterly dismissive of Richard Gabriel and David Williams; that when talking about Larry Gomes as he always appended the epithet "phlegmatic"; that Gus Logie, to him, didn't have what it takes to be on the team, far less to be vice-captain; that he regarded Brian Lara -even after his magnificent 92 against the murderous wrath of Garner and Marshall at the Queen's Park Oval- as "too young to soca" -Lara, then, was just 18 years old- even as twelfth man; that he regularly bemoaned Phil Simmons's inclusion, even for a One-Dayer; that he's excoriatingly disdainful of Daren Ganga -for years now, the shrewdest, therefore, winningest captain within the West indies- and of incumbent wicketkeeper, Dinesh Ramdin; and that Dave Mohammed doesn't belong up there where the air is rare.

History, too, reveals that Tony Cozier is gifted at prescience, as the heads of those whom Tony Cozier excoriates quickly end up on the selectors' chopping block, or, worse yet, never earn their second look, except they deliver such exceptional performances that even the Heavens cry out on their behalf. Which is what Lara had to do. But Cozier is not known to practice necromancy, therefore, the accuracy of his foreknowledge has elsewhere to lie, perhaps in his being able to exert tremendous behind-the-scenes sway.

THE GREAT ESCAPE SMOKESCREEN:

Now, many have been omitted from the above list, because neither time nor space permit. Nor purpose, which is quickly to raise the alarm over Tony Cozier's latest intention, as expressed in his February 22nd 2009, Trinidad and Tobago Sunday Express column captioned "The great escape" -indeed an apt title, given what went down in Antigua in the second test match of the ongoing series against England. (http://www.trinidadexpress.com/index.pl/article_sports?id=161443017)

And, so, it would have been taken, as well, as an innocuous choice of title, except that it belied what was buried within the three paragraphs immediately preceding the penultimate one, for therein, just as he did with a split infinitive, he sticks in another anti-Trinbagonian coded directive to the West Indian test cricket selectors:

"...It is the other way round for Gayle and the West Indies. They are on an emotional high after their two victories, one actual, the other moral, and everyone is fit.

But they must know they were lucky to get away with the inconsistency that continues to run them into trouble.

In the circumstances, it would be unwise to now (sic) change the XI. Even Powell acknowledged yesterday that his record does not merit his retention as the back-up fast bowler to Jerome Taylor and Edwards, but to leave him out would upset some of the fervour he helped create in Antigua..."

WHERE THERE'S SMOKE THERE'S FIRE:

Huh? "...unwise to now (sic) change the XI..."?

What arrant nonsense be this? Or, as pint-sized Gary Coleman used to say, "Whatchu talking about Willis?"

"...unwise to now (sic) change the XI..." in the face of the failure of the opening pair -not Gayle- and of the for-a-long-while-now-beyond-the-top-of-his-game performances of one Lendl Simmons -who, incidentally, happens to be from Trinidad and Tobago?

Ah, Tony boy! Your anti-Trinbagonian slip's showing one more time!

Warner Park, St. Kitts: January 30, 2009.
Lendl Simmons raises his bat to celebrate his double century against England.
Photo: http://tinyurl.com/bk8rsu

EXTINGUISHING THE FIRE:

Maybe it's time the selectors raise their finger to signal they've had enough of you? But then, what do they know of cricket, who only cricketers select?

Perhaps, instead, it's time all of Trinbago rises up and collectively shows you theirs?

Howai! We is not bayteez!

Ah see in de Gahdyan -http://guardian.co.tt/business/business/2009/02/21/cib-repayments-oval- dat Larry Howai from FCB say dey going to start paying people who Clico Investment Bank (CIB) owe money dey money? Dat nice, real nice!

But, ent CIB have a spanking new building in Chaguanas whey it was on the verge ah opening when everything foops with Duprey dem? An ent since Central Bank dive in and take over, de Chaguanas building now own by First Citizens Bank (FCB) who dey transfer all CIB lock stock and barrel to?

So how FCB Howai dem not using dat building to pay out money CIB owing people? How Howai come up with de Queen's Park Oval to do dat? Ent dey -meaning "we, de taxpayers- go have to pay to use Queen's Park?

Ah chuts man! Fuss ah vex, cause ah doh like how Howai feel you an I is bayteez!

Ah read it in the Express!

"Ah read it in the Express!"

Many times one would hear that refrain, as someone, somewhere, seeks to bolster some argument by declaring the Trinidad and Tobago Express newspaper to be the fount of information upon which the whatever argument's premise is based.

Alas! What one sees is not always what one gets and information is not necessarily truth, even if gleaned from a journal as esteemed as any of the local Trinidad and Tobago dailies. Case in point:

On Saturday February 21st 2009, the very Express -of "Ah read it in the Express" fame- in its eagerness as widely as possible to disseminate some good news for a change, boldly put forth on its front page, that "Inflation falls by 4%", with a prompt that readers must go to page 4 to get the related details.

Oh! How those given to swearing "Ah read it in the Express!" must have jumped, especially if, too, they were one of a particular "till ah dead!" crowd? For it's been a while -long while- since any heartwarming news graced the front page of any newspaper in Trinidad or Tobago.

How upset, though, soon they would have become, for, on taking the check-page-four cue, they would have encountered news extracted from a Trinidad and Tobago Central Bank's Media Release -http://www.central-bank.org.tt/news/releases/2009/mr090220.pdf- which said something completely different to what the Express front-page banner suggested! It turns out that, while inflation did fall, the fall was nowhere as precipitous as one was led to believe -it was zero point four percent, NOT four percent!

Hardly the type of news about which to crow; agree? Except if -as most "Ah read it in the Express" soothsayers do- one merely read the headlines?

Yep! Ah read it in the Express! (http://www.trinidadexpress.com/index.pl/article_news?id=161442791)

And ah bring ah picture ah the front page in question to prove ah did.

What Sagicor mean by dat?

In its widely-distributed release -long-windedly entitled, "Sagicor Financial Corporation Statement On The Regulatory Actions Taken By The Central Bank Of Trinidad & Tobago"- Sagicor Financial Corporation (Sagicor), commenting on the recent with-rescuing-CL-Financial-

Holdings-in-mind regulatory actions taken by the Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago (CBTT) -able to repeat thanks to getting my second wind- has this to say:

"...As a financial group, Sagicor has always adopted conservative and prudent investment policies and has, as far as possible, matched its assets and liabilities. In addition, we have also adopted prudent and conservative international accounting policies which seek to minimize the impact of market volatility on our financial performance. We believe that this approach has served
us well over the years..." (See: http://www.sagicor.com/ViewAttachment.aspx?AttachmentID=165)

Say what??!!! "...as far as possible, matched its assets and liabilities."????!!!

What Sagicor mean by dat?

CBTT! As regulator of financial institutions, care to explain? Because that's why intervention was triggered in CL Financial's case, wasn't it?

The stench is horrible.

Based on the crappy circumstances of banks and related financial institutions -both here and abroad- it seems that they'd all, soon, have to change their names, from whatever to Shitibank?

Allen Stanford mess: West Indians cricketers and officials must show their resolve.

1. WHEREAS having already questioned the quo vadis of monies paid out/donated by Allen Stanford to West Indian cricket authorities and players (see: West Indian cricketers will suffer);
2. AND WHEREAS, seeing that news has now come to hand that he donated to the political campaigns of the likes of new US President, Barack Obama, Rep. Charles Rangel (D-N.Y.), former Sen. Phil Gramm (R-Texas), and the political action committee of former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle (D-S.D.) and others (See: http://tinyurl.com/dyoaq2);
3. AND WHEREAS, news also has come that every cent of such donations have been/are being given over to charity by those recipients -now that they all understand those funds came from illegal pursuits, including, alleged money laundering activities (See: http://tinyurl.com/bjdfzw);
4. AND WHEREAS those West Indian cricketing personalities and organizations who benefitted -in cash- from Allen Stanford's at-times-obscene generosity so did only because they thought he was legit.
   

• BE IT RESOLVED that every West Indian players and officials, past and present, who benefitted in cash from Allen Stanford's at-times-obscene generosity, urgently follow these US public officials' lead -even if only for the reason that the US Securities and Exchange Commission and the FBI know exactly who they are, how much they got and when they got what they got from Mr. Stanford;
• AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that those players who have already used all or some of those monies they received, to the extent that they have a shortfall, be given a CARICOM bailout.

The resolution needs a seconder before it can be implemented.

Look! Just hush!

The words which came to mind on reading of Prime Minister's cerebral convulsions re: the Carla Brown-Antoine yes!-no!-yes! appointment to act as Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) are all descriptive -in the coarsest manner- of extent to which the poor chap's entwined by the proverbial brown stuff!

Good gosh! Doesn't the man know what the constitution says? That, at Section 111, straightforwardly it declares:
111(2) Before the Judicial and Legal Service Commission (JLSC) makes any appointment to the offices of Solicitor General, Chief Parliamentary Counsel, Director of Public Prosecutions, Registrar General or Chief State Solicitor it shall consult with the Prime Minister.

111 (3) A person shall not be appointed to any such office if the Prime Minister signifies to the Judicial and Legal Service Commis­sion his objection to the appointment of that person to that office.

Which -by any measure- means that he must signal his objection, if any, before, never after, the appointment is made; and that, if he has no objection, he keeps his trap shut!

He did neither thing. But, in a pathetically-hilarious attempt to wipe the egg from his face, he compounded the situation by insisting -in a blatantly terminologically-inexact way- that, oh! he only objected to Ms Brown-Antoine because the JLSC never consulted him, when, fact is, since before the last DPP demitted office, the JLSC so did. And, in writing, if you please!

Trouble is, by saying now that, except for him not being consulted, he has no objection to Ms Brown-Antoine being given the nod, certainly pulls the I-object! rug from under his feet; and with retroactive effect. For his latest line of reasoning -if that it could be called- acknowledges there was no cause for him to object, as she bore no blemish.

Which is in keeping with what Section 111(3) unequivocally implies, since -by dint of the word "that"- that every objection has to be on the grounds that something's kinda offkey about the individual picked by the JLSC! Unequivocally!

Ah well! Maybe the PM can be excused on the grounds that he's a hardheaded person -which, maybe, because of his professional training, he really is.

Did Stanford arrest trigger elections in Antigua?

Yes, it's been almost five years since the last one was held, but, one can be excused in asking whether Antigua and Barbuda's Prime Minister Baldwin's announcement last night -February 17, 2009- that, come March 12th, his country goes back to the polls, was not done in a state of panic over the havoc the aftermath of the suddenly-vaporized Stanford empire would wreak on his country.

He did, after all, have the Parliament dissolved -on February 9, 2008- just as the swirl of gloomy news pertaining to Standford intensified.

That he and his government -maybe the opposition as well- despite their outward calm, are in a state of confusion, there's little doubt, having listened to what he said in announcing the date for the elections. For instance:

"...Breaking developments in the United States involving the Stanford Group have profound serious implications for Antigua and Barbuda. This is not a looming crisis! The fallout threatens immediate and catastrophic consequences!"

Now, taking a cue from what went down with Lawrence Duprey and the CL Financial Holdings meltdown -where it was matter-of-factly mentioned by the Governor of the Central Bank that the Duprey-owned group of companies in turn owned over 25% of Trinbago's GDP, notwithstanding Trinbago's otherwise-owned vast resources- one may rightly conjecture that, in Antigua and Barbuda, Stanford had magically wheeled and dealt till he controlled almost the whole damn country!

Many residents earn their livelihood working directly or indirectly for Stanford who had been spending millions to develop infrastructure in the country. With the promise of much more to come, Indeed, Standford's footprints are splattered all over the twin-island state. As in:

• Stanford owns the Sun Publishing group which produces the Antigua Sun newspaper; plus
  
• a cricket stadium that accommodates close to 4,000 -Antigua and Barbuda's total population's only 70,000; Besides,
  
• the country's most modern hospital was built with funds -U$30m- he loaned to the country when the former Bird-family led government administration was in charge -and he's already gotten back every cent;
  
• He also owns an ongoing EC$0.75 billion real-estate development sited on 60 acres of prime land; and
  
• a multiplex cinema; and
  
• a first-rate restaurant -the Sticky Wicket, built on the grounds of the Antigua airport; and
  
• a five-star hotel; and
• two banks that cater to both onshore and off-shore investors; and, to crown it all,
  
• Stanford has his own private island - he's a cricket aficionado, the man who gave the world 20/20 cricket, so, not surprised the island's named "Maiden".

Not surprising, too, that most would enthuse over his largesse, As the Samotalis blog reports, as paraphrased below:

Those who worked for him earned top dollar, as Duchel Westmorland, a 46-year-old landscaper, pointed out, "Stanford is the biggest investor in Antigua and he pays more than anybody else here. He's been a good man for this country." And, lest one thinks Duchel isn't worried, he offered the rejoinder that, "...this is bad. ...These charges will hurt us."

But Samotalis is an unbiased blog, so it also pointed out that:

...Others, like 35 year-old Sonia Barrow, were somewhat more wry in their comments. She declared, "I'm shocked but not too surprised. I always thought he was too good to be true...". (http://samotalis.blogspot.com/2009/02/antigua-in-shock-as-stanford-charged.html)

Perhaps Sonia's has a point. Perhaps things which look too good to be true always are. And Prime Minister Baldwin's Tuesday-night demeanour portrays too much sangfroid -at this time- for it not to be true that Stanford's demise is what triggered elections in Antigua and Barbuda -at this time.

Deep mess this, the no DPP business.

In thoroughly agreeing with the stance of the Trinidad and Tobago Law Association (LATT) -as expressed by its President, Martin Daly- against the unexplained -and very tardy- refusal of Prime Minister (PM) Manning to concur with the Judicial and Legal Services Commission's (JLSC) recommendation that the deputy Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) -Carla Browne-Antoine- be elevated to act as DPP, it must be stressed what the Constitution says, in particular as follows:

Section 3(2) In this Constitution:

(a) a reference to an appointment to any office shall be construed as including a reference to the appointment of a person to act in or perform the functions of that office at any time when the office is vacant or the holder thereof is unable (whether by reason of absence or infirmity of mind or body or any other cause) to perform the functions of that office; and

(b) a reference to the holder of an office by the term designating his office shall be construed as including a reference to any person for the time being lawfully acting in or performing the functions of that office.

Section 90(2) There shall be a Director of Public Prosecutions for Trinidad and Tobago whose office shall be a public office.

Section 111(1) Subject to the provisions of this section, power to appoint persons to hold or act in the offices to which this section applies, including power to make appointments on promotion and transfer and to confirm appointments, and to remove and exercise disciplinary control over persons holding or acting in such offices shall vest in the Judicial and Legal Service Commission.

Section 111(2) Before the Judicial and Legal Service Commission makes any appointment to the offices of Solicitor General, Chief Parliamentary Counsel, Director of Public Prosecutions, Registrar General or Chief State Solicitor it shall consult with the Prime Minister.

Section 111 (3) A person shall not be appointed to any such office if the Prime Minister signifies to the Judicial and Legal Service Commis­sion his objection to the appointment of that person to that office.

Off the back foot: 90 (2) makes it imperative that AT ALL TIMES there is to be a DPP. How? By employing the auxiliary verb "shall", when it says "There shall be a Director of Public Prosecutions for Trinidad and Tobago". To doubt that -in that context- "shall" carries such weight, is also to doubt that when next "shall", in the same 90(2), appears -"whose office shall be a public office"- it means the DPP's office is NOT BOUND TO BE a public office. No squirming room there, agree? Therefore, "shall", both times, means "must". QED!

Next!

Section 111(1) and 111(3) combine to yoke the burden of choosing and appointing a DPP -which, because of Section 3(2), also means someone acting, or, "performing the duties of", DPP- on the necks of both the JLSC and the Prime Minister. But it's not an even yoke. Yes, the PM has to be consulted -which is not the same as saying that the JLSC has to act on the PM's advice, as the President, in nearly everything, has to do. Yes, the PM can object -note that word! It's significance must not be lost! For, owing to the way 111(3) is worded, it's clear that the JLSC picks the whoever candidate over which such consultation takes place. Else, how could it be possible for the PM to object -read that as "veto"! Agree?

Now! The constitution is silent as to the minimum turnaround time that must elapse between consultation and PM communicating an objection. Seeing as Ms Browne-Antoine -according to the media reports- was in fact performing DPP duties up to Friday February 13th (shiver!), which is the date the PM belatedly sent across his "I object" letter -doubt it was sent via TTPost- then it means that when he was consulted by the JLSC -as required by the constitution- he did not, then, object? Else the JLSC would not have hunky-dorily gone along and instructed/allowed Ms Browne-Antoine to "perform the duties" of DPP?

And silence means consent. Thus, in the absence of a clear constitutionally-defined time frame, it's reasonable to conclude that the JLSC badly fumbled the ball. It should have appointed Ms Carla Browne-Antoine to act as DPP after one week had passed post the former DPP's departure with no objection forthcoming from the Prime Minister.

Maybe it did? And the PM's just being spiteful. Who knows? When the full details descend into the public domain the truth shall be known. It is hoped.

No longer innocent until guilt proven?

"If the State cannot prove a case, accused persons will be set free... This will be very sad." ("Old Sando police station hit by fire ...Court exhibits destroyed" by Anika Gumbs: Trinidad Guardian Feb 18, 2009)

Regardless of the context, well-known attorney, Hendrickson Sieunath's above statement, prima facie boggles the mind, for it utterly repudiates the "innocent until proven guilty" concept. That he made it for public consumption -while gaping at the inferno which razed the San Fernando Police Headquarters on Tuesday February 17, 2009- suggests a predilection to speak ante careful assessment of the forum. And, evidently too, it's NOT the type of practice that invites rave reviews.

Verbum sapienti sat est.

Why Allen Stanford chose Antigua.

An online search to get some more info on what attracted Allen Stanford to Antigua in the first place, led to a fascinating website that boasts of being:

"...a unique online publication that specialises (sic) in providing news, information and assistance to people who are interested in pursuing a low tax "off-shore" life style via relocation to a new country, investing in foreign markets or protecting their financial assets with prudent use of safe haven investments such as gold."

Every wizened panhandler's bones tingle when he stumbles upon some promising digs. And, if he starts digging, sometimes he might hit pay dirt. sometimes not.

The tingles he felt -on reading the above fanfaronade- galvanized this panhandler to begin some earnest sifting. Lucky he did, for, this time, his bones did not betray him, as, in short order, this nugget appeared:

"...The government of the twin island state (of Antigua and Barbuda) and all opposition parties actively support the offshore sector in Antigua and there exist many tax friendly incentives to attract offshore banking, company formation, trust establishment and ship registration to Antigua.

Offshore banking in Antigua is protected by strict privacy laws and an offshore IBC (International Business Corporation) established in Antigua and Barbuda can enjoy a tax exemption period of 50 years, this makes the twin island state incredibly popular with those looking for a secure, well legislated offshore jurisdiction.

In Antigua there are strict controls in place and laws that govern the disclosure of an IBC’s business affairs; it is a criminal offence to reveal any confidential information relating to an individual’s banking or business activity with crimes severely punishable. This makes offshore banking in Antigua popular with those seeking a greater degree of personal security and privacy..."

The name of the dig site is Shelter Offshore and this >>here<<>

West Indian cricketers will suffer fallout of Stanford's fall.

Every West Indian, living in the West indies or not, must share the dilemma this sordid turn of events with Allen Stanford is causing those who lost their money through investing -in good faith- with him.

Apart from the dilemma, the events must also make West Indians hang their heads in shame, because, the Getty Images photograph included in some the international news stories telling of Allen Stanford's charges/impending arrest, was the above one, of him handing over a U$20m cheque to West Indies cricket captain, Chris Gayle -Gayle's team had just beaten England in a lopsided, winner-take-all final in Antigua on Nov 1, 2008.

1. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/02/17/sir-r-allen-stanford-bein_n_167605.html
2. http://tvnz.co.nz/cricket-news/allen-stanford-arrested-fraud-2492084

A couple days before that match, in another winner-take-all final, Trinidad and Tobago team had beaten Jamaica, to earn each Trinidad and Tobago player a cool U$1m. Not chump change by any imagined stretch!

In court circles, there's an established dictum that "nothing legal can come of something illegal". With Stanford's plummet from grace, it seems, therefore, that those prize monies were the proceeds of fraud and, if so, the question now would be: would prizewinners be forced to return every cent?

But, by now, most would have spent a portion of their bounties -a car, holiday travel, gifts to family and friends, even a house. Maybe some put their winnings back in Stanford hands by way of fixed deposits? That would be a twist, wouldn't it? Given their fortunes -or misfortunes- on the field, more than likely they did.

Ay ya yie! 'Tis truly a most perplexing dilemma this. Perhaps if, indeed, the time does come for them to return the prize money, some Caribbean Godfather would step in to give the West Indian sporting heroes a bailout from the Stanford fallout.

Tighten belt? What belt?

Taxation, as all know, is driven by the notion that "the one who have more corn" must take some grains and spread on the ground for the yardfowls to eat, lest they starve.

Hence, tax revenue is used -or ought to be- mainly to build and maintain a social safety net, through the provision of poor relief, free health care, free education and soft credit to micro-entrepreneurs. And jail cells for those who "doh want to lissen"!

But what of profits earned by nationally-owned enterprises? Especially when those profits rise to the astronomical levels as were witnessed -for several years- in the fossil-fuel sectors? Is it right for it also so to be used? Or, does not the shareholder -as any shareholder ordinarily would- have a right to access a portion of those profits, in cash, to do with as they please?

Reasonableness demands that the latter be the case. But, it's not. At least not in Trinidad and Tobago.

Makes no sense then, when profits fall, for the persons whom the shareholders elected to sit on the board -the government administration- to tell shareholders to tighten their belts. Steups! Makes no sense at all.

Terryfic twisting, turning.

"...As he left court yesterday, while being greeted by his supporters, (Councillor Terry) Rondon said he forgave his accuser, Sgt Terri Gross of the US Army, and would now not trust anyone..." (http://www.newsday.co.tt/crime_and_court/0,95291.html)

Terri had accused Terry of gross behaviour, in that it was alleged he'd inappropriately touched a female USAF soldier, while on a tour of the Toco area on June 3rd 2008. (http://www.trinidadandtobagonews.com/blog/?p=529) Serious charges, of the type that could have led to Terry being dismissed from public office.

Turns out that, instead of Terry being dismissed, the case was. For, in an abrupt twist, when the matter came up for hearing, Terri refused to come to court -she wrote to say she "was no longer interested in pursuing the matter". (http://www.newsday.co.tt/crime_and_court/0,95291.html) Which is what led the councillor to turn to the tiny troop that tolerantly tarried to testify their trueness to their Terry, then to tell them that thenceforth, to thwart tomorrow's tie-ups, trust's the trait their top-dog'll terminate.

Trust that they took the tip. 'Nuff said!

Matlocking the Crouching Rasta.

Interesting read this -the letter written by Oke Zachary of Woodbrook and published in the Trinidad Express on Feb 16, 2009, in which Oke makes a case for urgent review of Principal Elizabeth Crouch's decision to bar a dreadlocked student from her school -for what now turns out to be some deeper-than-a-Rasta's-hair-is-

long reason. (http://www.trinidadexpress.com/index.pl/article_opinion?id=161440215)

ASIDE: Oke's epistle is captioned "Objection to dreadlocks backward". Let that not have been Oke's doing! For, whether as adjective or adverb, the word "backward", is anathema to the Rastafarian tongue!

Coincidentally, anathema's etymology whetted the thought process the better to defend the school's stance, as follows:-

Without bothering to rehash all the details, let it be stressed, matter-of-factly, like would Ben Matlock -no pun intended, please- that the school in question is a privately-owned school and that the owners happen -no by coincidence- to be a religious order of Roman Catholic ilk and that all students who there attend so do, only if accepted by the owners and after their parents bind themselves, by contract, to abide by the rules of the institution, whatever those rules may be. In other words, there's no room to wriggle.

Furthermore, from its inception, the institution in question has always maintained itself and operated in a manner which exudes the quintessence of Roman Catholicism. None dare that deny.

That Rastafarians would, of all schools, choose to send their children to such an institution, at the very least, properly plaits the mind. Unless, as Ms Crouch reportedly suggested, they view the cultivation of their locks as mere statements of fashion and not as something central to their religion? Which latter belief, from the universal evidence, is what, so often, the true case seems to be?

In parting, let it be remembered that when in Rome, it's imperative to do as the Romans do! Maria Regina Grade School, of Abercromby Street, Port of Spain, is a Roman-Catholic-owned school and, as already highlighted, privately-owned; ergo, let all who durst desire their child's name in its attendance register enrolled to be, do as the Roman Catholics do! Else be prepared for more public upbraiding like this!

Okay, Oke?

Bless!

CLICO bailout: In response to Roger.

A colleague -also named "Richard"- having read it, inquired about a spreadsheet I did, one entitled "Simple Analysis of What CL Financial Bailout Would Cost the Individual Citizen" -a copy's attached. Perfunctorily he asked:

"So what would be the better option for the Duprey bailout?

Letting them crash and burn is NOT an option; similarly, leaving them in charge is also not an option."

Unwittingly, he touched on the essence of the matter, for the purpose of the bailout -which I do not support- cannot be to get Duprey or his helpmates off any hook -there were adequate laws in place to deal with them, if there was any malfeasance on their part. Rather, it would have to be that of preventing a breakdown in the social order if CL Financial Holdings collapses -something which I doubt would happen if it's left alone -which reinforces my lack of support for the bailout.

Take note! I'm an unrepentant capitalist. Therefore, my take is that when some willingly take their money -matters not how hard or easy they got it, once they got it by legal means- and invest in some business venture, they instantly, also, take unto themselves all the risks associated with the venture. Paramount among which is that private ventures -of the Duprey sort- represent a coming together of money, not people. Else they'd be co-operatives. In other words, the one who owns or controls the majority of the shares calls the shots. The ones who don't are along for the ride; and, at best, can only hope for the best.

The possibility of a venture collapsing -for whatever reason- is ALWAYS a risk -it's why it's "venture". That being the case, every investor needs must exercise due diligence BEFORE adventuring to take the plunge and, throughout, while in the pool, keep gauging the depth and the current in relation to his/her swimming skills -a most critical one of which is the ability to tread water for a long while.

That's why, too, projected return on investment is the main consideration that induces prudent investors to put their money this way or that - rule of thumb being, "If the projected return is too good to be true, better believe it is!"

Lest one forgets, in Duprey's case, "we built this city" by dint of private investment -however ill-directed, yet, it was private! Not -as some would have us believe- by dint of the magnanimous largesse of any central government administration. Duprey -Lawrence, not his his uncle Cyril- dared boldly to venture where no Trinbagonian businessman had gone before, transforming the fat cash cow he'd inherited, from service-vessel status to that of trailblazing starship on the galactic circuit.

And those who went along for the ride all got their money's worth. Everyone!

But, though they were handsomely rewarded all along the way, it seemed that most who invested in the CL Financial Holdings Group really had no belly for the nitty-gritty of the ventures they owned, nor the time to read through and analyze the financial reports they would -as shareholders- have gotten. To them, it seems, money wasn't a problem. They had excess cash! To entrust to Duprey for him to do with as he pleased. By doing that, they exposed themselves to much greater risk than, originally, they might have contemplated. They were not like the cognoscenti -the minority to whom the portents were read by the sages when the starship began to shudder- who were galvanized to careen out the exit before she foundered.

All this to say that the only way we could see where chips lie is by letting them fall.

On Friday 13th (cringe!) February 2009 the Minister of Finance blurted that the bailout figure has jumped by 25% to TT$10 billion! And that's after just one week of unfettered delving into the bailee's books! Like I said, "...the only way we could see where the chips lie is if we let them fall."

Ergo, in my view, the CL Financial Holdings bailout was a totally unnecessary intervention and is nothing but another masterful diversionary tactic by an administration that, otherwise, has its back to the wall. Since 1956 the conjurer has been proudly boasting how magnum est. Time shall tell how long, yet, his prestidigitation praevalebit!

Simple Analysis of What CL Financial Bailout Would Cost the Individual Citizen

Simple Analysis of What CL Financial Bailout Would Cost the Individual Citizen.
		by Richard Wm. Thomas, Five Rivers, Arouca, Trinidad and Tobago. Feb 15, 2009.
Constants:
Total Population	Population Breakdown (by percentage)		No. of Citizens Bearing Bailout Burden
	(Under 70 yrs old)	(Employed)	(Under 70 yrs old)	(Employed)
1,250,000	85.00%	50.00%	1,062,500	625,000
Scenario A:
Based on Trinidad and Tobago Central Bank's Firstly-Estimated Bailout Quantum, i.e.:
$ 8,000,000,000.00
	If No. of Years Taken to Recoup Bailout Monies is:		Then, under Scenario A, Annual Bailout Burden per Citizen would be:
		Regardless of Citizen's Age	But, if borne only by those under 70 yrs old	Or, if borne only by Employed Citizens
	5	$ 1,280.00	$ 1,505.88	$ 2,560.00
	7	$ 914.29	$ 1,075.63	$ 1,828.57
	9	$ 711.11	$ 836.60	$ 1,422.22
	11	$ 581.82	$ 684.49	$ 1,163.64
	13	$ 492.31	$ 579.19	$ 984.62
	15	$ 426.67	$ 501.96	$ 853.33
		With the Total Bailout Burden, per Citizen, being,
		Regardless of Age	If Under 70 yrs old	If Employed
		$ 6,400.00	$ 7,529.41	$ 12,800.00
Scenario B:
Based on the same Central Bank's Oh-Goude!-We-din't-know-was-so-much! Second Estimate, i.e.:
$ 10,000,000,000.00
Which represents an Increase over its First Projection by:
25.00%
	If No. of Years Taken to Recoup Bailout Monies is:		Then, under Scenario B, Annual Bailout Burden per Citizen would be:
		Regardless of Citizen's Age	But, if borne only by those under 70 yrs old	Or, if borne only by Employed Citizens
	5	$ 1,600.00	$ 1,882.35	$ 3,200.00
	7	$ 1,142.86	$ 1,344.54	$ 2,285.71
	9	$ 888.89	$ 1,045.75	$ 1,777.78
	11	$ 727.27	$ 855.61	$ 1,454.55
	13	$ 615.38	$ 723.98	$ 1,230.77
	15	$ 533.33	$ 627.45	$ 1,066.67
		With the Total Bailout Burden, per Citizen, being,
		Regardless of Citizen's Age	But, if borne only by those under 70 yrs old	Or, if borne only by Employed Citizens
		$ 8,000.00	$ 9,411.76	$ 16,000.00
Scenario C:
Which assumes that trend set by Central Bank's Second Projection holds (which very well might be the case):
$ 12,500,000,000.00
	If No. of Years Taken to Recoup Bailout Monies is:		Then, under Scenario C, Annual Bailout Burden per Citizen would be:
		Regardless of Citizen's Age	But, if borne only by those under 70 yrs old	Or, if borne only by Employed Citizens
	5	$ 2,000.00	$ 2,352.94	$ 4,000.00
	7	$ 1,428.57	$ 1,680.67	$ 2,857.14
	9	$ 1,111.11	$ 1,307.19	$ 2,222.22
	11	$ 909.09	$ 1,069.52	$ 1,818.18
	13	$ 769.23	$ 904.98	$ 1,538.46
	15	$ 666.67	$ 784.31	$ 1,333.33
			With the Total Bailout Burden, per Citizen, being,
		Regardless of Citizen's Age	But, if borne only by those under 70 yrs old	Or, if borne only by Employed Citizens
		$ 10,000.00	$ 11,764.71	$ 20,000.00
Of course it going to be much worse than any of the above scenarios, as those in the know have already been suggesting that many of the paper assets held by th CL Group are literally not worth the paper on which the information about them is recorded.