Seems like a firestorm's brewing.

Some hopelessly aloof leader somewhere once remarked, just before being violently taken out of the picture, "Let them eat cake!"

Seems like Trinbago might be well on the way to relive such an experience, seeing as the one who has the gift of seeing has remarked that he's preparing cake for a restless Trinbago to eat:

"the executing functions were being taken away from the public service and being given to Special Purpose State Enterprises."
Stating that this was causing "some "upheaval", he said it was all part of the "growing pains". "To make a cake, you have to break an egg... Do not assume Government has made an error... It is part of the steps being taken as we seek to put new arrangements in place," he said. (http://www.trinidadexpress.com/index.pl/article_news?id=161471049)

Yup! Sure seems like a firestorm's brewing.

Doublespeak exists purely for one purpose.

And that purpose is to confuse who are easily confused.

Ewart Williams, Governor of Trinidad and Tobago Central Bank:
“Strictly speaking it is not a recession, it is absolutely not a recession, it is a kind of... no growth, stagnation..."
"The indicators that are available... suggest that the rate of deceleration of the economy is happening even faster than we anticipated..."

Patrick Manning, Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago:
“We in the government have great faith, my friends, that (our) approach is one that will bring tremendous returns to our country in due course...”
"I have come to the conclusion that in this country, many of us are like (the disciple) Thomas-we have to put our finger in the wound to believe,"

Yuh see me? I gone!

Ah pardna jess pointed out that:

Speaking at the Breakfast with the Prime Minister at the Crowne Plaza hotel in Port of Spain yesterday, Prime Minister Patrick Manning said inflation was moving in the right direction, but the 11.3 per cent rate was still too high.

He said when one examined what was happening with prices in the international community, one had to ask why prices were not going down in Trinidad and Tobago.

"Somebody, somewhere may have a different point of view from the Government. So I propose to call in two ministers very shortly-Minister of Trade and Industry (Mariano Browne) and Minister of Legal Affairs (Peter Taylor)-and they are going to begin to engage in discussions with the business community to see exactly where the problem is, who is doing what and to bring the weight of Government's influence to bear on driving these prices down... The people of Trinidad and Tobago are not here for the profiteering of individuals," he said. (http://www.trinidadexpress.com/index.pl/article_news?id=161471043)

Okay, Mr Manning! Lemme see if ah ged dis right:

Year	Inflation rate (consumer prices)	Rank	Percent Change	Date of Information
2004	3.80 %	93	-11.63 %	2003 est.
2005	3.30 %	114	-13.16 %	2004 est.
2006	6.90 %	159	109.09 %	2005 est.
2007	8.00 %	170	15.94 %	2006 est.
2008	7.90 %	165	-1.25 %	2007 est.

Now, in 2009, at 11.3%, inflation moving in the right direction? W T F??!!

Yuh see me? Is time fuh me to relocate to some wilderness area, cause is ida dis driver cyar drive, or, worse yet, he cyar see --which mean dat, even tho mih house ah safe distance from de road, wid he at de wheel, me and dis house whey ah living not safe at all.

We, the people, paying Dr. Theomary for this?

We, the people, paying Dr. Theomary Karamanis for this?

The Ministry would like to take this opportunity to provide some further information to the public on swine flu...
Can humans catch swine flu? Swine flu viruses do not normally infect humans. However, sporadic human infections with swine flu have occurred. Most commonly, these cases occur in persons with direct exposure to pigs (e.g. children near pigs at a fair or workers in the swine industry). (http://www.health.gov.tt/news/newsitem.aspx?id=13)

Fair? Swine industry? My God!

Furthermore, all that --forty-two words-- just to say what one word --"Yes!"-- would have done? Sigh! Guess the doctor lady must h-e-r w-o-r-d-s to justify every black cent of the TT$50k per month keep?

I don't give a bleep about what Jerry Narace dem say!

I don't give a bleep about what Jerry Narace dem say! Seriously!

What's there in their record to coax any sane-minded Trinbagonian into trusting these people? Eh? What?

They stiffed us till sore about the Summit and its astronomical peripherals; the never-ending song of a Brian Lara Stadium; a Scarborough Hospital that seems never will be; constant denial of dengue or yellow fever; performing arts centres that morphed into 5-star hotels; TT$5 billion and counting spent to cut grass instead of plant food; a similarly-dimensioned figure to bail out a business the Finance Minister owns; crime that, in regularity, ascends like phallic Waterfront Towers and descends, with dire consequences, upon even the most tranquil nooks and crannies; etcetra; etcetra; etcera!

That's why, today, I stand firm and proclaim, "I don't give a bleep about what Jerry Narace dem say! The Swine Flu is something with which they cannot cope and not because Trinbago does not have the skill so to do, but, sadly, because who's in charge don't really give squat, as they and their families can always fly off somewhere for medical attention!"

Learning from Obama.

The sorry tradition in these parts --of having to beg, like dogs hungry for scraps, or, worse yet, wheel and deal to get even the simplest bit of information from any public official in Trinidad and Tobago-- would quickly become history if those who so admire the man and would, at the slightest opportunity, Gopee-Scoon him, abandon such sorry tradition and, instead, embrace the one that President Barack Obama has set; and that Sam Stein's review so deftly sums up, as follows:

Communications: A presidential campaign built on innovative messaging and advanced technology has, naturally, become a White House defined by similar characteristics. As such, the reach of the administration's new media efforts - from hosting online question-and-answer sessions with the president to publishing the first White House blog - has been as expected as appreciated. It's unfortunate, said one tech savvy Democrat, because the new policies have had tangible impacts. "The White House streams every event with the president on its website, even press events," he said. "It's remarkable because, this Sunday they held a swine flu press conference that ordinary people [including many who may have been personally nervous about the topic] were able to watch online... Before you had to wait for a readout or hope that CSPAN would cover it. This is one of those things that people don't quite understand the significance of." ("Obama's First 100 Days: 10 Achievements You Didn't Know About" The Huffington Post, April 29 2009)

Habits like the above excerpted, then, are what one expects those who relish the man's company would adopt, for only birds of same feather together flock.

Leh we ride the swine!

In short order, one shall hear a desperate Trinbagonian officialdom --or, is it "officialdumb"?-- laying the blame for an over-extended run of economic misery upon, too, the Swine Flu. Come bet!

Clueless in Whitehall...another perspective.

Once is mistake, but, twice?

An earnest Prime Minister, Patrick Manning, is quoted, verbatim, by the local print media as saying that:

“The economic downturn that your are seeing now...is a mere blip on the road to progress of our country upon which we are embarked–it is merely a blip,” (Trinidad Newsday: 2009 April 29th, Wednesday PM: Slowdown a blip, by Andre Bagoo)

Upon which we are now embarked? To what was he referring? The economic downturn? The blip? The Road? Our country? Ahh! It's the blip! Okay then.

The man-in-charge always does and says things that make citizens feel that they're being good and properly bleeped by him and his peeps.

Clueless, too, in Riverside Plaza.

“Which is better? Minus or to be stagnating?” asked (Trade --and Junior Finance-- Minister, Mariano) Browne, as he replied to a motion on the adjournment of the Senate that was moved by Opposition Senator Wade Mark. (Trinidad Newsday, 2009 April 29th: "Browne: Zero growth still good" by Clint Chan Tack)

The hot potato at the time that both Senators at the time were making a mash of chewing --clearly, it was a hot one-- was that of the woeful state of Trinbago's economy and even more woeful prospects for the future.

Both men are very good debaters --Mariano thus, even from back in St Mary's College-- but, it's one thing to defend a poor topic to win some literary prize in an inter-school contest and quite another to defend insane consequences born of inane policies that the debater himself helped create.

Hence, to the Minister retort-query: “Which is better? Minus or to be stagnating?”, one must inquire, "Are those the only options? For surely putting someone else to steer the ship must be included in the whatever parameters?"

Clueless in Whitehall.

Once is mistake, but, twice?

An earnest Prime Minister, Patrick Manning, is quoted, verbatim, by the local print media as saying that:

“The economic downturn that your are seeing now...is a mere blip on the road to progress of our country upon which we are embarked–it is merely a blip,” (Trinidad Newsday: 2009 April 29th, Wednesday PM: Slowdown a blip, by Andre Bagoo)

Blip? What does he mean by that?

In the context used, "blip" is clearly a noun, which means that, in any case, it can only refer to an event that is of purely and most briefly temporary nature: Whoop! Here it is! Then, whash! It's gone! Like the swish of a whip; or a light when the switch is rapidly this way, then that, tipped.

But, almost in the next breath, the man-in-charge does a flip and lets slip that his blip is is nothing of the sort, rather, a long trip:

“by this time next year” the economy will be back to seeing “significant progress”. (Ibid.)

In other words, he's not talking of a "blip", but a "bleep"! Which is perhaps the best way to respond to this latest blooper, for, many a time, the man-in-charge does and says things that make citizens feel that they're being good and properly bleeped by him and his peeps.

This is what comes of a jerrymandered Health Ministry.

As the previously-unheralded Swine Flu virus reverberates outwards from Mexico with deadly consequences akin to a Mexican Wave gone nuclear, a cowering Trinbago citizenry naturally turns to its Public Health authorities for guidance and assurances, only to encounter the likes of this from the Chief Medical Officer, Dr Anton Cumberbatch:

"Swine Flu was originally transmitted via pigs but the virus has now mixed with the Avian Influenza and man and this virus is causing concerns... The virus can be transmitted from pigs to humans and from pigs to pigs... The global problem is as a result of the virus being transmitted from man to man. (http://guardian.co.tt/news/general/2009/04/27/narace-govt-ready-swine-flu)

Please note: the above statement was made after the bargain-price hiring of Dr Theomary Karamanis (Dr TK), a Greek-American who is the Health Ministry's newly-installed Director of Corporate Communications. (http://kid5rivers.blogspot.com/2009/04/ah-karamba.html)

OMG!??

Seems like Dr TK has given Jerry a Gerry? And Jerry, in turn, passed same along to the taxpayers? Hence, let them both be shown the door! And, for his cumbersome grasp of things and explanation, Cumberbatch too! Unless its the norm to have a jerrymandered Health Ministry?

Begging for a different ride.

At very regular intervals, as the tenure of Prime Minister Patrick Manning runs, pearls of ear-pinching wisdom from the big man's lips --or, back pockets-- fall. Yet, such gems seem not to invite the right takers.

For instance, back in 2006, on December 13th, to be precise, during Prime Minister Manning's tour of the then ongoing works at the Port of Spain Waterfront Project site, when the media --in response to the Joint Consultative Council (JCC) President's publicly-stated concerns-- asked him whether the Trinidad Rapid Rail project's procurement process is going to be reviewed or revised, this is all that could come to the Prime Minister's fertile mind:

"...We have introduced a new kind of process of procurement different from anything that has ever been done here but consistent with the systems that are being used in the developed countries of the world...(As far as I'm concerned,) there are issues with the way the local industry wishes to conduct its business... There are those who are willing to hold on to an old paradigm that carves out for themselves an unusual amount of the Government’s financial pie and in ways that are inconsistent with proper industrial relations and proper developmental practice." (http://www.newsday.co.tt/news/0,49157.html)

Uff course, it's only very recently that the true details and ramifications Uff such "new kind Uff process" have come to light. And all but the balisier Bruce Willises are repulsed at what, Uff those details and ramifications, have been revealed. Were the Trinbagonian place truly of the First World, the populace would Uff long grabbed hold Uff Manning precious nuggets, then, firmly announcing that it had heard enUff, would Uff defenestrated the Man-in-charge and his twenty-twenty band of pilferers.

Sigh! If only wishes were horses!

BREAKING NEWS: Sean "Bill" Francis murdered in Vegas, Morvant drive-by.

BREAKING NEWS!!!!!!

Just awakened from deep slumber by a phone call --from a most reliable source-- that advised that Sean "Bill" Francis, of Vegas, Morvant, Trinidad, was gunned down in a drive-by withering volley as he stood on the streets of his hometown --Vegas, Morvant, Trinidad-- about two hours ago!

Also shot were his brother --Glen-- and stepson --"Bumpy"-- both of whom are in very critical condition in hospital --not sure whether at Port of Spain or Mt. Hope.

Up to the time of his execution, Bill was the last survivor of that "council of community leaders" which Prime Minister Patrick Manning had invited to meet with him at Crowne Plaza in 2002 --and then again in 2006-- to sign the "peace accord" Manning promulgated to stop the spate of gang killings and violence along the East-West Corridor.

Get to the bottom of this, Neil!

It's really frustrating --and severely inhibiting-- that the Minister of Information (MOI), Neil Parsanlal, has not seem it fit to influence his Cabinet colleagues to establish and maintain websites wherein will be found everything uttered in the public domain by every official --at least the movers and shakers-- regarding official policy, strategy and action.

'Tis true the local news media houses try their best to get to the bottom of everything, then to relay the facts to a yearning public, the better for it to make informed assessment of and decisions about who should lead this country. But even their most skillful sleuths steadily snivel, scoff, too, over the vexing inadequacy mentioned in the opening paragraph.

The public therefore, has no other option than to draw conclusions based on sound bites fed to them by editors, some of whom --they're human, after all-- might have ulterior motives.

All this to comment on what's reported by Denyse Renne --in the April 26, 2009, Sunday Express, under the byline "Philbert urges recruits: Don't be long-eyed"-- wherein she deals with speeches given by both the Acting Commissioner of Police (AgCOP) James Philbert and the Minister of National Security (MONS), Martin Joseph --whom many swear is, too, an actor, albeit a poor one-- at a recent graduation at the St. James Police Academy.

Dealing first with the AgCOP, Denyse directly, thus, quoted him as accepting full blame for pitiful police performance:

"Let me make this clear to you, we are no longer tolerating reasons that you are in station, off duty, on leave and this is not my division,"

then, indirectly, this time, smacking his underlings for griping about their not being given the proper tools to do their job, as follows:

Philbert told the recruits that if officers complain about the challenges they face when asked to perform their duties, criminals will eventually have the upper hand...

then, again indirectly, as giving his notion of the solution to crime:

He said officers must rise to the occasion in a bid to dismantle the crime menace, This can be done by officers acting in a proper manner and rising to the occasion when coming face to face with gangs, he said.

But, the AgCOP's jaws surely must have dropped not long after yielding the podium to the MONS, for the MONS promptly dispatched him for six with these sound bites:

Also speaking at the passing-out parade was National Security Minister Martin Joseph...
Admitting that the Police Service lacks manpower in its fight against crime, Joseph said hundreds of police officers need to be recruited each year, if the police were to put a complete end to the crime problem.

and, immediately next, the MONS said:

"All that is left is for citizens to answer the call to become police officers, assuming, of course, that they meet the entry requirements," he added.

Between the lines, then: it's not so much a question of whether a sufficient number of citizens will heed such a MONStrous call to join the local police service; rather, that those who indeed heed shall be accepted, even if they qualify. For, having had a good look at the AgCOP and how he was granted an extension of tenure because the Prime Minister objected to another --God and he alone know why-- and in the absence of open government, one must assume that "the entry requirements" of which the MONS spoke might be kinship to that hardy bloom which is easily-recognizable by its several flaming-red distichous bracts that are invariably fringed by a yellow-green streak.

Here's wishing that MOI Neil gets to the bottom of this!

Hazel needs to be warded.

How refreshing to hear Trinbago's dear Second Lady --Hello! Madam Dr. Ramjohn-Richards is the First, okay?-- commenting that wives are extensions of husbands. If her interpretation's correct, then husbands must be contractions of their wives, ent? (http://www.newsday.co.tt/politics/0,99060.html)

But, seriously though, she altogether missed the boat, for all those Latin American spouses that she recently discovered to have their own office and staff and such, are, in fact, First Ladies or Lords, as, in their countries, each of their spouses is President, meaning, Head of State, which is not the case with the likes of her and her Caribbean counterparts.

Conclusion? Hazel needs to be warded, as she seems to be suffering from post-Summit awe and shock.

Brian Lara should have left that ball alone! (UPDATED: I publicly apologize to him!)

On April 21st 2009, the following was written:

Dear Editor/Head of News,

The Toss:
More than thirty-six hours after it happened, the Trinbago media delivers the news that the great cricketer, the Prince of Port of Spain, Brian Charles Lara, was accorded a one-on-one audience with His Excellency Barack Obama --actually, two-on-one, for his charming daughter, Sydney was with him-- at the Trinidad Hilton on Sunday April 19th 2009, during which the Prince presented the POTUS with an autographed cricket bat, then showed him how to use it in defence and attack. The Trinidad Newsday sums it up like this:

"...Trinidad Hilton general manager Ali Khan revealed yesterday that Obama was pleasantly surprised to be face-to-face with Lara and joked about cricket. Lara’s daughter Sydney was also present as well to meet the first African-American US President.
Khan noted Lara was exhilarated to meet the US President personally.
'It was beautiful. You could see the expression on his face and his daughter’s. He was truly emotional and touched as were all of us,' he said..." (http://www.newsday.co.tt/news/0,98808.html)

Brian Lara shows POTUS Obama a thing or two about cricket.
Trinidad Hilton
Sunday April 19, 2009 - after The Summit of The Americas had ended.
White House Photo by Pete Souza

The Torrid Opening Over:
Somebody needs to put the Prince to sit and talk some sense into him, before he reawakens the ire of Cyril Lionel Robert James (CLR), for, obviously he didn't know how to play that over:

1. The very day that he met with Obama was the twentieth anniversary, less one month, of CLR's demise! But, then, what do they know of cricket, who only cricket know? Dot ball.
   
2. If CLR were alive, he would have roundly excoriated the Prince for agreeing to meet with the POTUS under the prevailing circumstances! But, then, what do they know of cricket, who only cricket know? Dot ball.
   
3. CLR it was who predicted that West Indian national consciousness would not be shaped until they had become masters at cricket. But, then, what do they know of cricket, who only cricket know? Dot ball.
   
4. As a master at cricket, he's therefore expected to be conscious of and in sync with the national mood! But, then, what do they know of cricket, who only cricket know? Dot ball.
   
5. The mood of the citizens at the time --and still-- was that they were being treated as dogs, because, unlike him, the Prime Minister Manning, point-blank refused them permission to interact with, even to see, POTUS Obama, the first black POTUS ever as he visited the first black country during his term of office! But, then, what do they know of cricket, who only cricket know? Dot ball.
   
6. Under the circumstances, those who were given privileged opportunities to one-on-one with POTUS Obama are regarded as "not-of-us" by the masses! But, then, what do they know of cricket, who only cricket know? No ball. But, my heavens! He's out! Stumped by alert wicketkeeper for stepping out his crease!
   

The Bigger Field:
Oh, Brian! When shall he learn that there is a field much bigger than the Oval on which Trinbagonians are longing for him dazzingly as well to play? And that, on that much bigger field, every shot he would make would resonate even more than the fiercest and best while at bat he executed?

Perhaps these words that Shakespeare made Malvolio utter --during the Twelfth Night-- would make him understand the drift?

"If this fall into thy hand, revolve. In my stars I am above thee; but be not afraid of greatness: some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon 'em. Thy Fates open their hands; let thy blood and spirit embrace them; and, to inure thyself to what thou art like to be, cast thy humble slough and appear fresh..."

Or these: of Shakespeare's Brutus, in Julius Caesar?

"Under your pardon. You must note beside, that we have tried the utmost of our friends, our legions are brim-full, our cause is ripe: the enemy increaseth every day; we, at the height, are ready to decline.
There is a tide in the affairs of men which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune; omitted, all the voyage of their life is bound in shallows and in miseries.
On such a full sea are we now afloat; and we must take the current when it serves, or lose our ventures."

Oh, Brian! Had he understood those selections of beyond-the-boundary import as well as he did what shot to choose from his wide selection when at bat, he would have called a press conference and publicly declined the invite for this private audience, making it plain in the process, that, despite his fame and fortune, he remains one of the people, thus, if the people can't get to see Obama, it would be selfish of him so to do. The press would have lapped it up, for it would have been Brian's finest innings...yet.

The next series awaits:
It is time, then, that Brian again dons battle-gear, bthis time to stride out into that bigger arena: his people needs him! Indeed, the plausibility of such a post-cricketing careermany former Test cricketers have successfully demonstrated and none more so than a man of whom all Arouca is proud: Lord Learie Nicholas Constantine!

Elsewhere, mention was made of some of Lord Constantine's post-cricketing exploits:

In 1963 he intervened in an incident where West Indians were denied jobs as bus conductors in Bristol. His public utterances on the issue were deemed by some to be undiplomatic. ...Prime Minister Eric Williams objected, partly because the West Indians in Bristol were Jamaicans and, so, not Constantine's responsibility. Williams felt Constantine had exceeded his brief and attempted to do what he did so well: put Constantine in the doghouse. Constantine promptly resigned.
(At the age of 63, after his resignation), early in 1964, Constantine embarked on legal practice in London...and got involved in a wide array of public causes, usually blazing a trail for blacks in Britain.

• He was a member of Britain's Race Relations Board from its inception and made important contributions to it.
• In 1967, he was appointed the first black Rector of St. Andrews University (where his daughter went).
• In 1968, the first black Governor of the BBC. (He continued to do free-lance broadcasting for the BBC, which he had started in the 1930s).
• And in 1969 he became the first peer of African descent, as Baron Constantine of Nelson and Maraval; his introduction to the House of Lords was a great occasion. (http://www.nalis.gov.tt/Biography/LearieConstantinebyBridgetBrereton.htm)

If he'd known more about cricket than just cricket, Brian would've known of such precedents and would not have accepted the invite. Now that he knows, what's stopping Brian Charles Lara from going on to greater purpose?

He has never been one to shrink from a challenge, therefore, let Lara henceforth no longer CLR cause in his grave to toss and turn: over Lara's inability to demonstrate more knowledge of cricket than what of the game he did so brilliantly show, when the boundary ropes futilely tried to constrain him .

Richard Wm. Thomas,
Five Rivers,
Arouca,
Trinidad and Tobago.

Today, yours truly wishes, publicly, hereby, to apologize to Brian, for the above approbation was thoroughly unwarranted: it's now patently obvious that he's not one of us. How come? Well, let the Trinidad Newsday do the talking:

Day at the Races for Brian Lara’s 40th

Thursday, April 23 2009

"WEST INDIES and Trinidad and Tobago batting legend Brian Lara will celebrate his 40th birthday on May 2 with A Day at the Races.

And to do so he will put on several spectacular activities at Santa Rosa Park, Arima.

A passionate racing enthusiast, Lara will sponsor what will be called a “May Racing Carnival.” Several racing enthusiasts, top corporate citizens and socialites will be specially invited to attend this Brian Lara Birthday party.

Turfites will be escorted to the infield of the race track in a carbon copy of the pomp and glamour of Royal Ascot.

Satchmo’s and Veni Mange and top sports bar Trotters will be featured, and there will also be fashion and entertainment..." (http://www.newsday.co.tt/sport/0,98952.html)

Sad, isn't it? What? That he is what he is become.

Possibly-pandemic pandemonium over human-killing Swine Flu.

It's well-documented that the local public health authorities severely lapsed when the salmonella bacteria recently caused mayhem in northern parts, for it was only after yours truly sounded the alarm --on January 29, 2009 (http://kid5rivers.blogspot.com/2009/01/breaking-news-peanut-butterpaste-recall.html)-- that serious local new media promptly intervened --POISON PEANUTS (http://www.trinidadexpress.com/index.pl/article_news?id=161431901)-- thus galvanizing those health guards to rouse from their slumber and confront the prospective monster.

It seems they've since resorted to their accustomed soporific state, for news is come to ear of an even more-menacing threat --a deadly new strain of swine flu has been mowing down human beings in Mexico --Yes! Human beings!-- and, from all appearances, has now crossed the borders into the southern and western USA!!

The World Health Organization (WHO) posted the following in its website on Friday April 24, 2009:

The United States Government has reported seven confirmed human cases of Swine Influenza A/H1N1 in the USA (five in California and two in Texas) and nine suspect cases. All seven confirmed cases had mild Influenza-Like Illness (ILI), with only one requiring brief hospitalization. No deaths have been reported.

The Government of Mexico has reported three separate events. In the Federal District of Mexico, surveillance began picking up cases of ILI starting 18 March. The number of cases has risen steadily through April and as of 23 April there are now more than 854 cases of pneumonia from the capital. Of those, 59 have died. In San Luis Potosi, in central Mexico, 24 cases of ILI, with three deaths, have been reported. And from Mexicali, near the border with the United States, four cases of ILI, with no deaths, have been reported.

Of the Mexican cases, 18 have been laboratory confirmed in Canada as Swine Influenza A/H1N1, while 12 of those are genetically identical to the Swine Influenza A/H1N1 viruses from California.

The majority of these cases have occurred in otherwise healthy young adults. Influenza normally affects the very young and the very old, but these age groups have not been heavily affected in Mexico.

Because there are human cases associated with an animal influenza virus, and because of the geographical spread of multiple community outbreaks, plus the somewhat unusual age groups affected, these events are of high concern.

The Swine Influenza A/H1N1 viruses characterized in this outbreak have not been previously detected in pigs or humans. The viruses so far characterized have been sensitive to oseltamivir, but resistant to both amantadine and rimantadine. (http://www.who.int/csr/don/2009_04_24/en/index.html)

But, don't be lulled by the sanitized monotone of WHO's advisory. Every hair about the body would bristle with fear on reading Mark Stevenson's graphic report 24 hours later, in the Huffington Post:

"The World Health Organization's director-general, Margaret Chan, said the outbreak of the never-before-seen virus is a very serious situation and has "pandemic potential." But she said it is still too early to tell if it would become a pandemic.

"The situation is evolving quickly," Chan said in a telephone news conference in Geneva. "A new disease is by definition poorly understood."

This virus is a mix of human, pig and bird strains that prompted WHO to meet Saturday to consider declaring an international public health emergency _a step that could lead to travel advisories, trade restrictions and border closures. Spokesman Gregory Hart said a decision would not be made Saturday. (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/04/25/mexico-city-cancels-all-p_n_191373.html)

Ibid, Stevenson also sends this chilling reminder:

"...The Spanish flu pandemic, which killed at least 40 million people worldwide in 1918-19, also first struck otherwise healthy young adults."

He thus concluded because, of the current swine flu outbreak's victims, "authorities said the dead so far don't include vulnerable infants and elderly.

He further elaborates:

"...This swine flu and regular flu can have similar symptoms --mostly fever, cough and sore throat, though some of the U.S. victims who recovered also experienced vomiting and diarrhea. But unlike with regular flu, humans don't have natural immunity to a virus that includes animal genes --and new vaccines can take months to bring into use."

What's even more alarming is that, according to Stevenson, President Felipe Calderon-led Mexican government only discovered the nature of the virus last Thursday --April 23rd 2009, four days after the Fifth Summit of The Americas ended-- and so, only "with the help of international laboratories", even though the first case occurred in mid-March 2009! Now, Calderon and a large contingent arrived in Trinbago for the Summit the very next day. It's clear that, then, Calderon's people really didn't know of the extent or seriousness of the outbreak, for no information about it was shared with their fellow attendees --if it was, then, certainly, the Summit agenda would've been urgently jiggled to address it.

Worrying, too, is that, seeing the epidemic erupted in Mexico and that so many cases occurred in Mexico City, it's not far-fetched to conjecture that one or more of the Mexican contingent might have been exposed to the virus, or might have brought it to these shores, is it? All the more reason for one again to question the state of alertness of the local health guardians.

Yours truly has done his part. Let, now, those whose handsome pay it is to watch over the flock go forth and earn their keep!

Thanks, Daddy!

The following was published by the Trinidad and Tobago Express on April 26th 2009 at: http://www.trinidadexpress.com/index.pl/article?id=161469595

Daddy always warned his children that, when reading, do NOT stay on the surface, rather, go between the lines: only within that narrow dimension, the truth of any scripture shall be found.

Therefore, taking time to browse the Trinbago Parliament's Hansard records --as is this writer's wont-- won't surprise any. Sometimes, nothing worthwhile is gleaned; sometimes, startlingly-precious jewels are culled, such as these following words:

"..Do you know what was the NAR’s prescription for dealing with the recession? They used to get on platforms night after night—because the Member for Siparia came from that mould—and say, “You see the recession, you know how we would deal with it? We would roll back the recession.” That is what they used to say. The crowd used to go, “Ray!” It was as though the recession was a carpet. Correct or not correct? That was their prescription for dealing with the recession. You must understand that some of us were around and we understood that. Do not feel you could say those things and get away with them. It is the same argument the Member for Siparia is coming with this afternoon. If we did not spend money in the past we would not have to do deficit financing.
They stopped the ammonia and methanol. Let me tell you what they did. It took them three years to realize the size of the mistake that they were making, but by then it was too late and they did not know how to reverse it. When they got out of government and we got in, it took us a whole year to bring back Trinidad and Tobago on the radar screens of some of the boardrooms around the world that deal with these commodities. It took us a long time. That thinking caused the PNM to say that the energy policy is too important for the people of Trinidad and Tobago to be caught up in the cut and thrust of politics. Therefore, we want (sic...he actually said "won't) dialogue with the Opposition’s energy policy. If the government should change in the future, we do not want that kind of ignorance to be the basis of what the government’s policy is predicated..." (http://www.ttparliament.org/hansards/hh20090116.pdf [pgs: 41-42])

The lips that uttered the above goldmine were those of the Prime Minister, Patrick Manning, as part of his spirited contribution to the House of Representatives debate on January 16, 2009. The topic? The one started by the Finance Minister, who had asked the House "That a Bill to provide for the imposition or variation of certain duties and taxes and to introduce provisions of a fiscal nature and for related matters, be now read a second time."

Of, course, as is his wont, the Prime Minister said much more than as above excerpted, but, it was only in the above that the meat of his substantial contribution to was be had. And, it's this:

"...When they got out of government and we got in, it took us a whole year to bring back Trinidad and Tobago on the radar screens of some of the boardrooms around the world that deal with these commodities. It took us a long time. That thinking caused the PNM to say that the energy policy is too important for the people of Trinidad and Tobago to be caught up in the cut and thrust of politics. Therefore, we want (sic...he actually said "won't) dialogue with the Opposition’s energy policy. If the government should change in the future, we do not want that kind of ignorance to be the basis of what the government’s policy is predicated..." (http://www.ttparliament.org/hansards/hh20090116.pdf [pgs: 42])

In other words: every Memorandum Of Understanding, or, agreement, that the Manning-led administration signs with foreign-owned transnational corporations to exploit Trinbago's fossil fuel resources shall incorporate a long-term state guarantee of profitability to the foreign "risk-takers", whether, or not, for whatever reason, they go through with their "investment".

Thanks, Daddy! May God rest your soul!

CLR would have raised the dreaded finger at Brian.

The Toss:
More than thirty-six hours after it happened, the Trinbago media delivers the news that the great cricketer, the Prince of Port of Spain, Brian Charles Lara, was accorded a one-on-one audience with His Excellency Barack Obama --actually, two-on-one, for his charming daughter, Sydney was with him-- at the Trinidad Hilton on Sunday April 19th 2009, during which the Prince presented the POTUS with an autographed cricket bat, then showed him how to use it in defence and attack. The Trinidad Newsday sums it up like this:

"...Trinidad Hilton general manager Ali Khan revealed yesterday that Obama was pleasantly surprised to be face-to-face with Lara and joked about cricket. Lara’s daughter Sydney was also present as well to meet the first African-American US President.
Khan noted Lara was exhilarated to meet the US President personally.
'It was beautiful. You could see the expression on his face and his daughter’s. He was truly emotional and touched as were all of us,' he said..." (http://www.newsday.co.tt/news/0,98808.html)

Brian Lara shows POTUS Obama a thing or two about cricket.
Trinidad Hilton
Sunday April 19, 2009 - after The Summit of The Americas had ended.
White House Photo by Pete Souza

The Torrid Opening Over:
Somebody needs to put the Prince to sit and talk some sense into him, before he reawakens the ire of Cyril Lionel Robert James (CLR), for, obviously he didn't know how to play that over:

1. The very day that he met with Obama was the twentieth anniversary, less one month, of CLR's demise! But, then, what do they know of cricket, who only cricket know? Dot ball.
   
2. If CLR were alive, he would have roundly excoriated the Prince for agreeing to meet with the POTUS under the prevailing circumstances! But, then, what do they know of cricket, who only cricket know? Dot ball.
   
3. CLR it was who predicted that West Indian national consciousness would not be shaped until they had become masters at cricket. But, then, what do they know of cricket, who only cricket know? Dot ball.
   
4. As a master at cricket, he's therefore expected to be conscious of and in sync with the national mood! But, then, what do they know of cricket, who only cricket know? Dot ball.
   
5. The mood of the citizens at the time --and still-- was that they were being treated as dogs, because, unlike him, the Prime Minister Manning, point-blank refused them permission to interact with, even to see, POTUS Obama, the first black POTUS ever as he visited the first black country during his term of office! But, then, what do they know of cricket, who only cricket know? Dot ball.
   
6. Under the circumstances, those who were given privileged opportunities to one-on-one with POTUS Obama are regarded as "not-of-us" by the masses! But, then, what do they know of cricket, who only cricket know? No ball. But, my heavens! He's out! Stumped by alert wicketkeeper for stepping out his crease!
   

The Bigger Field:
Oh, Brian! When shall he learn that there is a field much bigger than the Oval on which Trinbagonians are longing for him dazzingly as well to play? And that, on that much bigger field, every shot he would make would resonate even more than the fiercest and best while at bat he executed?

Perhaps these words that Shakespeare made Malvolio utter --during the Twelfth Night-- would make him understand the drift?

"If this fall into thy hand, revolve. In my stars I am above thee; but be not afraid of greatness: some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon 'em. Thy Fates open their hands; let thy blood and spirit embrace them; and, to inure thyself to what thou art like to be, cast thy humble slough and appear fresh..."

Or these: of Shakespeare's Brutus, in Julius Caesar?

"Under your pardon. You must note beside, that we have tried the utmost of our friends, our legions are brim-full, our cause is ripe: the enemy increaseth every day; we, at the height, are ready to decline.
There is a tide in the affairs of men which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune; omitted, all the voyage of their life is bound in shallows and in miseries.
On such a full sea are we now afloat; and we must take the current when it serves, or lose our ventures."

Oh, Brian! Had he understood those selections of beyond-the-boundary import as well as he did what shot to choose from his wide selection when at bat, he would have called a press conference and publicly declined the invite for this private audience, making it plain in the process, that, despite his fame and fortune, he remains one of the people, thus, if the people can't get to see Obama, it would be selfish of him so to do. The press would have lapped it up, for it would have been Brian's finest innings...yet.

The next series awaits:
It is time, then, that Brian again dons battle-gear, bthis time to stride out into that bigger arena: his people needs him! Indeed, the plausibility of such a post-cricketing careermany former Test cricketers have successfully demonstrated and none more so than a man of whom all Arouca is proud: Lord Learie Nicholas Constantine!

Elsewhere, mention was made of some of Lord Constantine's post-cricketing exploits:

In 1963 he intervened in an incident where West Indians were denied jobs as bus conductors in Bristol. His public utterances on the issue were deemed by some to be undiplomatic. ...Prime Minister Eric Williams objected, partly because the West Indians in Bristol were Jamaicans and, so, not Constantine's responsibility. Williams felt Constantine had exceeded his brief and attempted to do what he did so well: put Constantine in the doghouse. Constantine promptly resigned.
(At the age of 63, after his resignation), early in 1964, Constantine embarked on legal practice in London...and got involved in a wide array of public causes, usually blazing a trail for blacks in Britain.

• He was a member of Britain's Race Relations Board from its inception and made important contributions to it.
• In 1967, he was appointed the first black Rector of St. Andrews University (where his daughter went).
• In 1968, the first black Governor of the BBC. (He continued to do free-lance broadcasting for the BBC, which he had started in the 1930s).
• And in 1969 he became the first peer of African descent, as Baron Constantine of Nelson and Maraval; his introduction to the House of Lords was a great occasion. (http://www.nalis.gov.tt/Biography/LearieConstantinebyBridgetBrereton.htm)

If he'd known more about cricket than just cricket, Brian would've known of such precedents and would not have accepted the invite. Now that he knows, what's stopping Brian Charles Lara from going on to greater purpose?

He has never been one to shrink from a challenge, therefore, let Lara henceforth no longer CLR cause in his grave to toss and turn: over Lara's inability to demonstrate more knowledge of cricket than what of the game he did so brilliantly show, when the boundary ropes futilely tried to constrain him .

Brian Lara and POTUS Obama

Brian Lara shows POTUS Obama a thing or two about cricket.
Trinidad Hilton
Sunday April 19, 2009 - after The Summit of The Americas had ended.
White House Photo by Pete Souza

Better late...than...never.

Dear Trinidad Express Editor/Head of News,

April 10th 2009: http://kid5rivers.blogspot.com/2009/04/voice-of-one-crying-in-wilderness.html
April 21st 2009: http://www.trinidadexpress.com/index.pl/article_news?id=161467371

Better late...than...never! Much thanks!

Apparently, re-roosting chickens don't faze Manning.

Despite his half-arse talk mumbling about the document known as the Declaration of Port of Spain (DOPS) being conceived by parents, some of whom who died before DOPS was actually born, one cannot help but nod in wonderment at the irony of it all, for, in the end, despite his bravado, as Prime Minister Manning, alone, signed DOPS, he must have been ruing words he'd uttered back on the 28th September 2007, when he reiterated his post-1995 Whitehall-exit bravado: that he and his PNM stand alone, win alone and, or, lose alone. Indeed, on the later date, he'd compounded his folly by the following expatiation:

“The PNM has always stood alone,...the PNM had never joined with anyone else since no one else had a policy programme like the PNM. When you get into a coalition (arrangement) you (are forced to) make compromises on policy and vision...” (http://legacy.guardian.co.tt/archives/2007-09-29/news1.html)

Poor chap! Or, better put, given the backdrop: Poor-me-one chap! But, then again, perhaps re-roosting chickens don't faze Manning?

Special S.O.S post-5th-Summit Litany.

From Manning and his continued term, dear God, S.O.S: Summit Of Sorrow --no sane Trinbagonian is happy that it took place.

From Manning and his continued term, dear God, S.O.S: Summit Of Shame...brought on by official bungling from beginning to end.

From Manning and his continued term, dear God, S.O.S: Summit of Squandermania --TT$1.25 and counting spent, for what?

From Manning and his continued term, dear God, S.O.S: Summit of Selfishness --the whole thing was encased by a PNM aura.

From Manning and his continued term, dear God, S.O.S: Summit Of Superficiality --no emphasis on the things that really mattered.

From Manning and his continued term, dear God, S.O.S: Summit of Spitefulness --he refused to let Obama meet the people.

From Manning and his continued term, dear God, S.O.S: Summit of Strangulation --not a damn dog was allowed even to whimper.

From Manning and his continued term, dear God, S.O.S: Summit of Showoffness --how else to describe it?

From Manning and his continued term, dear God, S.O.S: Summit of Shenanigans --no explanation needed.

From Manning and his continued term, dear God, S.O.S: Summit of Sophistry --like: corn soup's equal is doubles.

From Manning and his continued term, dear God, S.O.S: Summit of Speciousness --taxpayers are yet to figure out what happened.

From Manning and his continued term, dear God, S.O.S: Summit of Superciliousness --that's how the outside world now view us.

From Manning and his continued term, dear God, S.O.S: Summit of Sabotage --several homes and legitimate business operations were physically-removed along the "announced" routes to and from Piarco; none will be allowed to return.

From Manning and his continued term, dear God, S.O.S: Summit of Sacrilege --the hardcore base of PNM support was hidden behind a wall (or, is it a berm?).

From Manning and his continued term, dear God, S.O.S: Summit of Sadomasochism --how else to describe the glee the man showed when we complained of the torture he was inflicting?

From Manning and his continued term, dear God, S.O.S: Summit of Sourness --which is the taste now left in our mouths.

From Manning and his continued term, dear God, S.O.S: Summit of Sardines --maybe that's how we're viewed by the man, hence why he organized the shindig on the waterfront.

From Manning and his continued term, dear God, S.O.S: Summit of Saturnalia --had one look at the typical menu and concluded as much.

From Manning and his continued term, dear God, S.O.S: Summit of Sarcophagi --don't have to look twice at the new twin towers to understand that.

From Manning and his continued term, dear God, S.O.S: Summit of Scalding --yep, the Treasury got badly-scalded alright.

From Manning and his continued term, dear God, S.O.S: Summit of Scalpers --and, then completely-scalped.

From Manning and his continued term, dear God, S.O.S: Summit of Scandal --just wait till the details come to light!

From Manning and his continued term, dear God, S.O.S: Summit of Scapulimancy --only someone who relies on a chaman for guidance would agree that it was worth the trouble.

From Manning and his continued term, dear God, S.O.S: Summit of Scatterbrain --which, in a nutshell, sums up the capacity of those who inflicted this thing upon us.

From Manning and his continued term, dear God, S.O.S: Summit of Somnambulists --who would have enjoyed free rein of Port of Spain for those three April days.

From Manning and his continued term, dear God, S.O.S: Summit of Scruffiness --we who live not within affiliated zones were left in such a state.

From Manning and his continued term, dear God, S.O.S: Summit of Salts --a dose of the Epsom brand, to be precise, as that's how the money went.

Feel free to add.

Gasping for Patrick.

Haven't seen any of the hardcopy editions as yet, but, did anyone else notice that --up to the instant of this missive-- in the today's online versions of the Trinidad Express and the Trinidad Guardian and the Trinidad Newsday, NOT A SINGLE picture of our esteemed Prime Minister, Patrick Augustus Manning, appears, even though he is the Chairman of the Fifth Summit of The Americas that began yesterday down at the exorbitantly-revamped Port of Spain waterfront? Could it be that the Trinidad Fourth Estate is finally awakening, thus, too, finally smelling the rancid coffee that said esteemed Prime Minister has been brewing for a dim-witted populace?

Gasp! Also, did anyone else notice that, ibidem --as if deliberately-intended to rub salt into the above-described wound-- said Newsday, to graphically enhance its lengthy article about the latter's lengthy opening address to said Summit --"Manning: Let's be friends" http://www.newsday.co.tt/news/0,98663.html-- used a photo of Nicaraguan President, His Excellency Daniel Ortega, instead of one of said esteemed Prime Minister?

Gasp!! Where are you, Patrick?

Maybe, by now, hustling from the barber's to lodge a protest?

Eh, Kyle boy? (http://kid5rivers.blogspot.com/2008/11/of-prime-ministers-and-printers-devils.html)

OMG!! Is that you, Patrick?

There he was, strolling into the distinguished presence of leaders who, by dint of blood, sweat and tears, had become leaders in their own countries and of international repute, smiling and, ever so slightly, nodding in acknowledgment of the standing ovation that began from the rear of the Port of Spain Waterfront Hyatt Hotel's Summit hall. But, gasp! There was no balisier tie strung around his neck!

OMG!! Is that you, Patrick? And, if it really is, then that's insulting! How? Because this subtle change of apparel confirms that you have more respect for the high forum that the Fifth Summit of the Americas, without doubt, is, than you have for the highest forum that could possibly exist in this country --the Trinidad and Tobago Parliament.

So! Michelle's not coming?

So! FLOTUS Michelle Obama's not accompanying her husband when he comes to these parts for the Summit? That can only mean her husband --he's POTUS-- is NOT viewing this Fifth Summit of The Americas as a joyride --as the host nation, from all appearances, thinks it is. NOR that it's something which Trinbagonians should go overboard with expense --such as has been done. In any case, her decision denies the Summit has lost a major part of its appeal and some, who were eagerly anticipating parading with her, ofthat self-aggrandizing opportunity.

Waiting on the crow.

Well! The Christian Easter Feast just ended. From it there's a lesson to be learnt by those who lead/wish to lead us: it's gleaned from this passage of the Bible:

...Then Jesus said to them, “All of you will turn against me this very night, because it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’
However, after I have been raised, I will go to Galilee ahead of you.”
But Peter said to him, “Even if everyone else turns against you, I certainly won't!”
Jesus said to him, “I tell you with certainty, before a rooster crows this very night, you will deny me three times.”
Peter told him, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never deny you!” And all the disciples said the same thing...

So! This question that now needs to be posed to all those posing as disciples of leaders or potential leaders, "Are ye awaiting the crow?

James Philbert don't care shat!

Every person who professes to be a journalist in Trinidad and Tobago (T&T), and or to endorse and defend press freedom --which T&T's constitution guarantees-- must condemn this latest bit of drivel from the retired-then-rehired ACTING Police Commissioner, James Philbert:

"...Philbert said yesterday there was no room for mistakes or flaws during the Fifth Summit of the Americas, starting tomorrow in Port-of-Spain. Addressing the promotion of 23 police officers at the Police Administration Building, Philbert pointed out that a number of international journalists were in Trinidad for the Summit and they would send their reports on what happens in this country. (http://guardian.co.tt/news/general/2009/04/14/no-mistakes)

And, if any of them had the fire in their belly that a sly T&T politician once had, each and every one of them would then excoriatingly declare to Mr. Philbert, "That's insulting!" and proceed to dispatch him for six.

For Mr. Philbert has confirmed what T&T's civilian population has long suspected:

1. the T&T police don't give a shat about the local media; or,
2. the local media is yet to convince the T&T police that they (media) are not a force with which one may trifle; shriek!...or,
3. both 1 & 2.

Not a shred of Morales, then, has he!

How can a man-in-charge who NEVER experienced --THEREFORE, CANNOT understand-- PAIN AND SUFFERING, make bold to joke about a fast undertaken by Peruvian President, Evo Morales, a man who, for nearly all of his life, has? Not a shred of Morales, then, has he!

The question is posed, as that man-in-charge, when asked by some inane media person, "if some Trini delicacies could be offered to try to tempt Morales to come to Trinidad", instead of treating such a question with the contempt it deserved, promptly and gleefully enjoined, "Yes, yes. A crab and callaloo should set him right. Together with a corn soup, eh? And if that’s not enough, then a bake and shark." (http://www.newsday.co.tt/news/0,98452.html) Not a shred of Morales, then, has he!

Completely lost to that man-in-charge was that President Morales is embarked on a life or death struggle to right the wrongs which have humiliated the Bolivian people for centuries! Completely lost! But, then, what does that man-in-charge know of such struggles? He fled in 1990, leaving his colleague --and political senior-- the late Muriel Donawa-McDavidson to face the full brunt of what that dark afternoon transpired? I know! Because I was haplessly caught up in the midst of it! Not a shred of Morales, then, has he!

Completely lost, too, to the man-in-charge that he was the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago and host of thousands and thousands of foreign dignitaries due here any minute --some are already arrived-- for what the man-in-charge, in his own words, has admitted will be the most significant event of its kind ever to take place in our neck of the woods and, as host, his every action or inaction and utterance or gaffe will be subject to vetting as never before, or after, in his life. Not a shred of Morales, then, has he!

Perhaps when the media person quipped his quip they were all atop one of those heartily-built twin towers on the Port of Spain waterfront --they were touring the area at the time-- for only a man-in-charge high on something would respond the way that man-in-charge did? But, that's hardly likely he was that high, for, while all know that Morales chews coca leaves to boost his stamina, as far as we know, the man-in-charge does not, nor does he chew the satanic stuff made from coca leaves. Not a shred of Morales, then, has he!

Or, perhaps both of them perceive the whole Summit thing as one grand fete, as the Trinidad Express and the Trinidad Newsday, by their front pages of April 14th 2009 tend to suggest?

If only, that day, they both had gotten a whiff of the harsh reality of life under the man-in-charge that the Trinidad Guardian, ejusdem die, was going to proclaim:
--at least the one who has a seerwoman could have-- both would contritely agree with my mordant refrain: Not a shred of Morales, then, has he!

Moreover, let it not be forgotten that the man-in-charge is accustomed to having things handed to him on a platter:

• He won his parliamentary seat in 1971 as a result of a no-vote campaign;
• He was appointed a Cabinet Minister --for the first time in his life-- by George Chambers, only because George wanted some yes-men to bulwark him against the guile of Kamal and Errol --Chambers told me so in person;
• He was unlawfully selected as Prime Minister in December 2001 when the general election ended in an 18-18 tie --some say Panday gave the post to him.

Not a shred of Morales, then, has he!

Thus, being accustomed to being pampered, the man-in-charge cannot understand when people say they have to struggle to make something of or improve their lot? Not a shred of Morales, then, has he!

Like The Midnight Robber, Brian Honoré --God rest his soul!-- I can go on and on in derisive vein about the topic at hand, but time won't allow, so let me sum it up in a nutshell!

Until he manages to embrace a lifestyle that has some Morales, I remain ashamed that man-in-charge is my Prime Minister...absolutely ashamed! For, like around Ancient Mariner's neck Coleridge's dead albatross did, to ours he hangs! Let's not begrudge the man-in-charge his future hangings, shall we? Unless, quickly, he makes amends and earns our forgiveness! I suspect that won't happen, hence, my cri de coeur shall remain: "Not a shred of Morales, then, has he!"