For many years now, Telecommunications Services of Trinidad and Tobago (TSTT),
or some permutation of it, has been the monopoly re: landline telephone
operations in
Trinidad and Tobago. Even though TSTT is owned by the people, its
attitude to its customers ---the same people who own it--- has been no
different, really, from any classical monopoly, thus, we, the people,
its sole customer base, have been
continuously ripped-off by TSTT and with no relief in sight.
One blatant area of such exploitation lies in the perennial monthly rental fee charged per fixed-line handset it
supplies, as straightforward calculations suggest that TSTT makes a
hefty ---scratch that!--- an obscene annual profit by its blunt refusal
to give us, the people ---TSTT's owners-cum-customers--- the option to purchase such equipment at cost, whether from
TSTT or some other source.
Saturday, 31 October 2009
Are there any Anthony Sowells in our midst?
Sometime aback, I wrote of how someone was violently assaulted by a sex maniac. (See: http://kid5rivers.blogspot.com/2009/10/she-was-almost-raped-on-deewalees-eve.html).
Sadly, to date the victim, though severely traumatised, has not seen fit to report the incident to the police, despite being urged so to do by a top attorney and me.
Sadly, too, the victim's immediate family endorses her decision, citing that if she reports it, the follow-up police investigation would traumatise/stigmatize her beyond measure.
People! Listen up! Where such crimes are concerned, neither victims nor witnesses must remain silent, if only for the reason that the predator would be allowed the leeway to wreak further havoc on other victims.
Lest anyone think that I'm being alarmist, please take careful note of this latest bit of news coming out of Cleveland, Ohio, USA, of Anthony Sowell, who, God be praised, is now in custody after being hotly sought by the police for hours, following the gruesome discovery of six bodies at his home. (See: http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2009/10/police_find_third_body_still_s.html and http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2009/10/police_stationed_outside_house.html).
Note carefully that, coming to the end, the first-linked report mentioned:
In December 2008, another woman told
police Sowell tried to rape her. That woman bought a beer at a store on
the corner of East 123rd Street and Imperial when Sowell asked her to
drink with him.
When she said no, Sowell punched her in the face, dragged her to the back of his home and told her, "Take your clothes off," according to the police report.
The woman broke free, ran away and flagged down a police car. Police went back to the house and arrested Sowell for attempted rape and robbery, but the woman ultimately did not want to talk to detectives and no charges were filed.
When she said no, Sowell punched her in the face, dragged her to the back of his home and told her, "Take your clothes off," according to the police report.
The woman broke free, ran away and flagged down a police car. Police went back to the house and arrested Sowell for attempted rape and robbery, but the woman ultimately did not want to talk to detectives and no charges were filed.
See why I'm so adamant that every such incident must be reported?
I hope if the someone about whom I wrote reads this, she will promptly change her mind and do the right thing, no matter the pain, for a sexual predator, even one held in high public esteem, is a violent creature and potential murderer, by nature.
Feel free to comment!
Unless the context otherwise makes plain, ALL rights to postings in this blog are reserved by the one who posted it.
Reminds me of some politicians.
Reminds me of some politicians.
Feel free to comment!
Unless the context otherwise makes plain, ALL rights to postings in this blog are reserved by the one who posted it.
Friday, 30 October 2009
Hunt and his limp flag.
So! That Hunt ---the Sports Minister--- believes there's no price that's prohibitive where national pride is concerned, yet cannot pinpoint what a flagrant example of such expenditure was? No wonder Venky's of India had to sponsor the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Team's participation in the recent Indian Premier League Tournament?
The flag, limply hanging at the Hasley Crawford Stadium, Port of Spain.
(Photo: Richard Wm. Thomas)
In any event, what a continued turnaround from the pillorying then Minister of Works, Sadiq Baksh, got, regarding his transformation of the abandoned Picton Hill water tanks into a thing of beauty for local and foreign tourists alike, about which yours truly had written in August 2008. (See: http://kid5rivers.blogspot.com/2008/08/they-derided-panday-and-sadiq-for-same.html)
Feel free to comment!
Unless the context otherwise makes plain, ALL rights to postings in this blog are reserved by the one who posted it.
Hijacking the Union Jack.
As it continued its series of articles themed on the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), the Trinidad and Tobago Newsday on Friday October 30th inserted a graphic representation of the national flag of the United Kingdom ---to add embellishment to the captioned story.
However, it seems that its exuberance to place its proprietary footprint on the insert may have transgressed the bounds of protocol, as a national flag ---or a straightforward impression of any--- is not something with which one may tamper. Therefore, the Newsday was wrong to stamp the words "© newsday.co.tt" in the Union Jack's lower fly. [See picture below!]
At least, the Newsday must forthwith adjust its online presentation and, simultaneously, apologize to the right quarter for the blooper.
God save the Queen! And, long live the Privy Council!
Feel free to comment!
Unless the context otherwise makes plain, ALL rights to postings in this blog are reserved by the one who posted it.
Thursday, 29 October 2009
Billion$ would be saved, if we'd simply shut down the Refinery.
We perfunctorily shut down Caroni.
Why?
Because of the billion$ that it kept sucking down the chute.
Then we resorted to buying sugar and molasses on the international market.
So why not do the same to Petrotrin?
It'd not be half as bad if Petrotrin followed Caroni's suit, for, unlike Caroni, Petrotrin would still continue churning out its base products ---crude oil and natural gas--- which, from all indicators, will continue to fetch a handsome profit on the international market, ent?
Let me put it this way, so that the layman would better grasp my point:-
If, regarding each of the 120,000 households that make up Trinidad and Tobago, one were to calculate what it cost to undertake just one Petrotrin project ---the Gasoline Optimisation Programme (GOP)--- which is now estimated to pump some TT$5,985,000,000.00 down a bottomless sinkhole, the quotient would be in the vicinity of TT$71,000.00! [See the below table!]
| Details |
$ |
| Petrotrin's
GOP Est. Cost (Revised) in USD: |
1,350,000,000.00 |
| Exchange
Rate (?TTD=1USD): |
6.30 |
| Petrotrin's
GOP Est. Cost (Revised) in TTD: |
8,505,000,000.00 |
| No.
of Households in T&T: |
120,000.00 |
| Cost
of GOP per T&T Household: |
70,875.00 |
| Summit
of Americas V Expenditure in TTD: |
600,000,000.00 |
| Summit
plus GOP Expenditure in TTD: |
9,105,000,000.00 |
| Cost
of GOP and Summit per T&T Household in TTD: |
75,875.00 |
Notice the added impact of monies wasted on hosting the Summit of The Americas V?
All the same, billion$ would have been saved, if we'd simply shut down the refineries!
Did somebody whisper: "Opportunity cost!"?
Perhaps the more appropriate aside would have been: "Opportunity lost!"
Tuesday, 27 October 2009
Time and Fence are short!
INTOLERANCE AND DENIAL:
Trinbagonian public officials, from Captain to cook ---or, these days, is it just "crook"?--- are fond of berating those who comment on their actions and policies as being "misinformed", "misguided", or, "speculating" in their such commentaries. In so deriding, those very officials themselves invite the same astigmatism as they bestow, since, by their insults, they in fact acknowledge their own guilt of two of the worst crimes any public official in any democratic country may commit ---intolerance; and withholding information from their bosses: the public. That such crimes are of the worst is entirely because jointly and severally they drive a stake through the heart of the basic tenet of democracy ---
freedom
of speech and expression, especially about political and other public
issues--- for freedom of speech and expression is the lifeblood of any
democracy.
Now! Up to the last time I checked, the expression "a democracy" means "a state where the will of the majority of its citizens is what determines the course any such state shall take or follow". But as that is merely the skeletal definition, one needs deeper to delve to find the meat.
DEMOCRACY RE-EMPHASIZED:
Democracy comes from the Greek word, "demos," meaning people. In democracies, it is the people who hold sovereign power over lawmakers and the government...and not the other way around. Democracy, then, is government in which power and civic responsibility are exercised by all citizens, directly, or through their freely-elected representatives. This is evidenced by a scrupulously vigilant guarding against all-powerful central governments. How? By decentralizing government to regional and local levels, with the clear and forever present understanding that local government must be accessible and responsive to the people.
In a democracy, the people's representatives are chosen via regularly-conducted free and fair elections, open to all citizens. Elections in a democracy cannot be just for show, something for dictators or a single party to hide behind, but authentic competitions for the support of the people.
Trinbagonian public officials, from Captain to cook ---or, these days, is it just "crook"?--- are fond of berating those who comment on their actions and policies as being "misinformed", "misguided", or, "speculating" in their such commentaries. In so deriding, those very officials themselves invite the same astigmatism as they bestow, since, by their insults, they in fact acknowledge their own guilt of two of the worst crimes any public official in any democratic country may commit ---intolerance; and withholding information from their bosses: the public. That such crimes are of the worst is entirely because jointly and severally they drive a stake through the heart of the basic tenet of democracy ---
Now! Up to the last time I checked, the expression "a democracy" means "a state where the will of the majority of its citizens is what determines the course any such state shall take or follow". But as that is merely the skeletal definition, one needs deeper to delve to find the meat.
DEMOCRACY RE-EMPHASIZED:
Democracy comes from the Greek word, "demos," meaning people. In democracies, it is the people who hold sovereign power over lawmakers and the government...and not the other way around. Democracy, then, is government in which power and civic responsibility are exercised by all citizens, directly, or through their freely-elected representatives. This is evidenced by a scrupulously vigilant guarding against all-powerful central governments. How? By decentralizing government to regional and local levels, with the clear and forever present understanding that local government must be accessible and responsive to the people.
In a democracy, the people's representatives are chosen via regularly-conducted free and fair elections, open to all citizens. Elections in a democracy cannot be just for show, something for dictators or a single party to hide behind, but authentic competitions for the support of the people.
Friday, 23 October 2009
List of SEXUAL VIOLATION MYTHS.
List of SEXUAL VIOLATION MYTHS
Adapted from Sociology of Sexual violation
University of Minnesota Duluth
Adapted from Sociology of Sexual violation
University of Minnesota Duluth
Sexual
violation myths are beliefs about sexual assault that are fraught with
problems. Some myths are just completely and blatantly untrue. What often
happens is that beliefs surrounding circumstances, situations, and
characteristics of individuals connected to sexual violation are uncritically
applied to all cases and situations.
Such myths
exist for many historic reasons, which include:
·
inherited
structural conditions;
·
gender role
expectations; and
·
the
fundamental exercise of power in a patriarchal society.
The best way
to approach sexual violation myths are to confront them honestly and frankly.
Don't deny their existence and don't dismiss one ungrounded statement with
another.
Confronting sexual
violation myths sociologically means looking at the data and re-evaluating
knowledge in the face of social facts and statistics. What follows is a list of
sexual violation myths and the facts that call those sexual violation misconceptions
into question. The list is not conclusive, but provides the groundwork for
continued research and discussion.
Myth: Sexual violation is
sex.
Fact: Sexual violation is experienced by the victims as an act of violence. It is a life-threatening experience. One out
of every eight adult women has been a victim of forcible sexual violation.
(National Victim Center and Crime Victims Research and Treatment Center, 1992).
While sexual attraction may be influential, power, control and anger are the
primary motives. Most sexual predators have access to a sexual partner.
Gratification comes from gaining power and control and discharging anger. This
gratification is only temporary, so the sexual predator is always on the hunt
for another victim.
Myth: Women incite men to sexual
violation.
Fact: Research has found that the vast majority of acts of sexual violation
are planned. Sexual violation is the
responsibility of the sexual predator alone. Women, children and men of
every age, physical type and demeanor are sexually abused. Opportunity is the
most important factor determining when a given sexual predator will attack.
Myth: There is a "right
way" to respond to a possible rape situation.
Fact: Since sexual violation is
life-threatening and each sexual predator has his own pattern, the best thing a victim can do is follow her
instincts and observe any cues from the sexual predator. If the victim
escapes alive she has done the right thing.
Myth: A victim should be
discouraged from dwelling on the sexual violation event. She should
"forget it!".
Fact: This advice generally comes
from people who are more concerned with their own feelings than the victim's.
All victims should be offered the opportunity to talk about the assault with
those personally close to them and knowledgeable professionals. Victims who are
not allowed to talk about the sexual violation have a much more difficult time
recovering from it.
Myth: Support from family
members is essential to the victim's recovery.
Fact: A Victim Services study found that
emotional and practical support offered by family and friends does not necessarily speed the recovery
of sexual violation victims because,
when the people that a victim relies on behave in unsupportive or negative ways, the victim faces a longer, more difficult recovery process.
These negative behaviors include:
·
worrying
more about oneself than the victim;
·
blaming the
victim;
·
withdrawing
from the victim or behaving in a hostile manner;
·
and
attaching a stigma to the sexual violation and demanding secrecy from the
victim.
Thursday, 22 October 2009
She was almost raped on Deewalee's Eve.
Once upon a time, somewhere in Trinidad and Tobago, on a sunny afternoon, while Trinbagonians of Hindu persuasion were dutifully completing their frenetic preparations for the next day's Deewalee celebrations ---the time when light is said to
overcome darkness--- a certain man
embarked on another of his accustomed similarly-dastardly schemes: to ravage a woman with whom he'd become obsessed.
That his intended victim this time around did escape, gives credence to the belief that, indeed, the flickering flames of Mata Lakshmi's deyas do generate enough glow to stop the murky plots of evildoers, for an innocent third party arrived on the scene, thereby forcing him abruptly to curtail his evidently long-intended vicious and profane violation. So and only so was the young lady able to escape the perhaps-eventually-murderous onslaught of her tormentor that Deewalee Eve.
For the time being, be sufficed with what I have above written of this stinking scum. Meantime, I urge the victim, whoever she be, to direct her wrath in proper fashion, so that the brute shall be brought to book for his violently misogynous act; time shall tell whether she shall; time will also tell whether it's the last time he do such a thing to any woman.
Sexual assault is forced, unwanted sexual contact. It can happen to both men and women of any age. It is about power, domination, not sex. The perpetrator uses actual force or violence ---or the threat of it--- to take control over another human being. Some even use drugs to take away a person's ability to resist.
In every event, it is a crime, whether the person committing it is a stranger, a date, an acquaintance, or a family member. Most sexual-abuse victims know their abusers. Sometimes, that leads the person who's been violated to try to protect the perpetrator. At no time should they! Every victim must make protecting yourself your priority. Don't worry about protecting the person who sexually abused you.
No matter how it happened, sexual abuse is frightening and traumatizing, therefore, victims need care, comfort and a way to heal.
There are four things that everyone who has been sexually abused must do, though:
That's why it's important to expose the abuser! To report the incident to the police is the best way, for by so doing others may, in future, be protected from that person. Besides, reporting will help the sexually-abused person feel a little less sense of victimhood.
Sometimes the feelings surrounding sexual assault may show up in physical ways, such as trouble sleeping or eating. It may be hard to concentrate in school or to participate in everyday activities. Sometimes the victim may feel like she'll never get over the trauma at all. Sometimes she may vent her rage against the very persons who are doing what's necessary to help her best deal with the problem.
Experts often refer to these emotions ---and their physical side effects--- as rape trauma syndrome. The best way to work through them is with professional help.
It can be hard to think or talk about a frightening experience, especially something as personal as sexual violation. Persons who have been sexually violated sometimes avoid seeking help, because they're afraid that talking about it will bring back memories or feelings that are too painful. But this actually does more harm than good.
Talking about sexual abuse in a safe environment with the help and support of a trained professional is the best way to ensure long-term healing. Working through the pain sooner rather than later helps reduce symptoms like nightmares and flashbacks. It can also help people avoid potentially-harmful behaviours and emotions, like major depression or self-injury.
Every survivor works through his or her feelings differently. Some may feel most comfortable talking one-on-one with a therapist. Others find that joining a support group where they can be with other survivors helps them to feel better, get their power back and move on with their lives. Others mistakenly feel they can resolve their emotional pains on their own; that, sadly, is impossible, therefore, in the end, leaves scars that never go away and that will, thereafter, cloud every relationship, whether they realize it or not.
In a support group, you can get help and support...as well as give it, for your experiences and ideas may help others heal.
Read more>>
That his intended victim this time around did escape, gives credence to the belief that, indeed, the flickering flames of Mata Lakshmi's deyas do generate enough glow to stop the murky plots of evildoers, for an innocent third party arrived on the scene, thereby forcing him abruptly to curtail his evidently long-intended vicious and profane violation. So and only so was the young lady able to escape the perhaps-eventually-murderous onslaught of her tormentor that Deewalee Eve.
For the time being, be sufficed with what I have above written of this stinking scum. Meantime, I urge the victim, whoever she be, to direct her wrath in proper fashion, so that the brute shall be brought to book for his violently misogynous act; time shall tell whether she shall; time will also tell whether it's the last time he do such a thing to any woman.
Sexual assault is forced, unwanted sexual contact. It can happen to both men and women of any age. It is about power, domination, not sex. The perpetrator uses actual force or violence ---or the threat of it--- to take control over another human being. Some even use drugs to take away a person's ability to resist.
In every event, it is a crime, whether the person committing it is a stranger, a date, an acquaintance, or a family member. Most sexual-abuse victims know their abusers. Sometimes, that leads the person who's been violated to try to protect the perpetrator. At no time should they! Every victim must make protecting yourself your priority. Don't worry about protecting the person who sexually abused you.
No matter how it happened, sexual abuse is frightening and traumatizing, therefore, victims need care, comfort and a way to heal.
There are four things that everyone who has been sexually abused must do, though:
- Know that the assault wasn't your fault;
- Seek medical care;
- Report the incident;
- Deal with your feelings.
That's why it's important to expose the abuser! To report the incident to the police is the best way, for by so doing others may, in future, be protected from that person. Besides, reporting will help the sexually-abused person feel a little less sense of victimhood.
Sometimes the feelings surrounding sexual assault may show up in physical ways, such as trouble sleeping or eating. It may be hard to concentrate in school or to participate in everyday activities. Sometimes the victim may feel like she'll never get over the trauma at all. Sometimes she may vent her rage against the very persons who are doing what's necessary to help her best deal with the problem.
Experts often refer to these emotions ---and their physical side effects--- as rape trauma syndrome. The best way to work through them is with professional help.
It can be hard to think or talk about a frightening experience, especially something as personal as sexual violation. Persons who have been sexually violated sometimes avoid seeking help, because they're afraid that talking about it will bring back memories or feelings that are too painful. But this actually does more harm than good.
Talking about sexual abuse in a safe environment with the help and support of a trained professional is the best way to ensure long-term healing. Working through the pain sooner rather than later helps reduce symptoms like nightmares and flashbacks. It can also help people avoid potentially-harmful behaviours and emotions, like major depression or self-injury.
Every survivor works through his or her feelings differently. Some may feel most comfortable talking one-on-one with a therapist. Others find that joining a support group where they can be with other survivors helps them to feel better, get their power back and move on with their lives. Others mistakenly feel they can resolve their emotional pains on their own; that, sadly, is impossible, therefore, in the end, leaves scars that never go away and that will, thereafter, cloud every relationship, whether they realize it or not.
In a support group, you can get help and support...as well as give it, for your experiences and ideas may help others heal.
If you or someone you know has been sexually-abused, please call the Trinidad and Tobago Rape Crisis Centre: Tel: + 868 622 7273
Read more>>
Feel free to comment!
Unless the context otherwise makes plain, ALL rights to postings in this blog are reserved by the one who posted it.
Tuesday, 20 October 2009
UnRowley behaviour in closing the book.
Ever heard the saying: "We're closing the book!"? Well, the norm is that, once the book's closed, no further hearing is permitted an accused party, nor, for that matter, the accusing party. Why? Because, by closure point, enough had been heard, all parties had been given ample opportunity, to say what they had to say in defence or support of their respective case. Post closure, then, comes judgement. Take note, too, that no book could be closed lest it was open; and, the only way it's opened is by an accuser throwing it at an accused. As to why it thrown? Well! That's the recourse preferred when an accused is become overbearing, since the book enumerates every single charge that possibly could be pinned on the accused. The book has been thrown at Prime Minister Manning and his cabal...it was thrown by Member of Parliament, the Honourable Dr. Keith Rowley. Alack! Horror of horrors! It was thrown in a most unRowley fashion; thus, it's probably the first time ever that a thrown book has landed not opened, but closed, for the party at whom the book was thrown has been long judged by the people and found wanting on every score.
Feel free to comment!
Unless the context otherwise makes plain, ALL rights to postings in this blog are reserved by the one who posted it.
Saturday, 17 October 2009
Deewalee ---When Light Overcomes Darkness. Hence, charge Manning with sedition!
How apt that, on Deewalee Day 2009, a time when billions the world over chant the mantra: "Lead me from The Darkness to The Light!", that I'd be guided to the Trinidad and
Tobago (Trinbago) law which details what Trinbagonians are prohibited from reading.
What law? The Prohibited Publications Order! It was effected as subsidiary legislation to the and is to be found at the following Ministry of Legal Affairs website:
Below is a verbatim part-list of the publications which that Order deems must not be read by any Trinbagonian:
That the list exists is, indeed, most amazing, considering that, in Trinbago in this 21st-century day and age:
For, punishable by existing law such culpable person, if existing, would be, since none can deny that, every which where one turns in this originally-intended-to-be-blessed land of ours, the bewailing's the same: "This Government is the worst! It doing real tata! It doh like the people! Is time to get rid of the Government!"
History records that such animosity against the rule of law had all but disappeared under a former regime. Who, then, rekindled and, since, fuels such anti-government hatred?
The answer is as ubiquitous as the woeful laments: "It is one man...and one man alone!" And that man is Patrick Augustus Manning! The same man whimsically installed, on the late afternoon of December 24th, 2001, as Prime Minister, allegedly on moral an spiritual grounds, by one whom everyone recognizes now to be the most vindictive politician to have graced the high offices of this land ---Arthur Napoleon Raymond Robinson!
The aberrations of Patrick Augustus Manning from Christmas Eve 2001 to now are too numerous to detail herein, but, thank God, they are well-known. Thus, none who's rational can deny that the effect of such aberrations can only be as above concluded.
Ah yes! Deewalee ---When Light Overcomes Darkness. Hence the cry: "Charge Manning with sedition!"
What law? The Prohibited Publications Order! It was effected as subsidiary legislation to the and is to be found at the following Ministry of Legal Affairs website:
Below is a verbatim part-list of the publications which that Order deems must not be read by any Trinbagonian:
- All publications of the Foreign Languages Press, Peking, China.
- All publications of World Peace Council (W.P.C.).
- All publications of World Federation of Trade Unions, (W.F.T.U.) and the Trade
- Departments (Trade Unions International or T.U.I.’s) of W.F.T.U.
- All publications of World Federation of Democratic Youth (W.F.D.Y.).
- All publications of International Union of Students (I.U.S.).
- All publications of Women’s International Democratic Federation (W.I.D.F.).
- All publications of World Federation of Scientific Workers (W.F.S.W.).
- All publications of International Association of Democratic Lawyers (I.A.D.L.).
- All publications of World Federation of Teachers’ Union (F.I.S.E.).
- All publications of International Organisation of Journalists (I.O.J.).
- All publications of International Radio and Television Organisation (O.I.R.T.).
- All publications of International Federation of Resistance Fighters (F.I.R.).
- All publications of International Medical Association (I.M.A.).
- All publications of Peace and Socialism Publishers, Prague, Czechoslovakia.
- All publications distributed by Peace Book Company, Hong Kong.
- All publications of the Trade Union Publishing House, Moscow.
- Trade Union Press, published fortnightly in Prague by the World Federation of Trade Unions.
- El Mundo Cientifico, which is the Spanish edition of the World Federation of Scientific Workers “Scientific World” published by the Associacion de Trabajadores Cientificos de Cuba, Cespedes 53, Santa Clara, Cuba.
- Granma, the Organ of the Communist Party of Cuba.
- Revolucion, the Official Government paper, Communist and pro-Castro.
- News from Cuba, alias Cuba News, alias Weekly News from Cuba...Distributed weekly by Cuban Embassies.
That the list exists is, indeed, most amazing, considering that, in Trinbago in this 21st-century day and age:
- child-pornography movies and magazines are openly peddled on the sidewalks and store-shelves of Trinbago;
- Chinese persons are shanghaied to these shores to slave on government projects;
- the
incumbent Prime Minister and his colleagues zip to Cuba on their every
odd heartbeat, or inherent short-sightedness, for medical treatment; and that,
- the very things the said law bans may be freely viewed via the worldwide web.
(1) A seditious intention is an intention—
(a)
to bring into hatred or contempt, or to excite disaffection against
Government or the Constitution as by law established or the House of
Representatives or the Senate or the administration of justice;
(b) to excite any person to attempt, otherwise than by lawful means, to procure the alteration of any matter in the State by law established;
(c) to raise discontent or disaffection amongst inhabitants of Trinidad and Tobago;
(d) to engender or promote—
(b) to excite any person to attempt, otherwise than by lawful means, to procure the alteration of any matter in the State by law established;
(c) to raise discontent or disaffection amongst inhabitants of Trinidad and Tobago;
(d) to engender or promote—
(i)
feelings of ill-will or hostility between one or more sections of the
community on the one hand and any other section or sections of the
community on the other hand; or
(ii) feelings of ill-will towards, hostility to or contempt for any class of inhabitants of Trinidad and Tobago distinguished by race, colour, religion, profession, calling or employment; or
(e) to advocate
or promote, with intent to destroy in whole or in part any identifiable
group, the commission of any of the following acts, namely:(ii) feelings of ill-will towards, hostility to or contempt for any class of inhabitants of Trinidad and Tobago distinguished by race, colour, religion, profession, calling or employment; or
(i) killing members of the group; or
(ii) deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction.
(ii) deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction.
(3)
In determining whether the intention with which any act was done, any
words were spoken or communicated, or any document was published, was
or was not seditious, every person shall be deemed to intend the
consequences which would naturally follow from his conduct at the time
and under the circumstances in which he so conducted himself.
For, punishable by existing law such culpable person, if existing, would be, since none can deny that, every which where one turns in this originally-intended-to-be-blessed land of ours, the bewailing's the same: "This Government is the worst! It doing real tata! It doh like the people! Is time to get rid of the Government!"
History records that such animosity against the rule of law had all but disappeared under a former regime. Who, then, rekindled and, since, fuels such anti-government hatred?
The answer is as ubiquitous as the woeful laments: "It is one man...and one man alone!" And that man is Patrick Augustus Manning! The same man whimsically installed, on the late afternoon of December 24th, 2001, as Prime Minister, allegedly on moral an spiritual grounds, by one whom everyone recognizes now to be the most vindictive politician to have graced the high offices of this land ---Arthur Napoleon Raymond Robinson!
The aberrations of Patrick Augustus Manning from Christmas Eve 2001 to now are too numerous to detail herein, but, thank God, they are well-known. Thus, none who's rational can deny that the effect of such aberrations can only be as above concluded.
Ah yes! Deewalee ---When Light Overcomes Darkness. Hence the cry: "Charge Manning with sedition!"
Feel free to comment!
Unless the context otherwise makes plain, ALL rights to postings in this blog are reserved by the one who posted it.
Stuff it in yuh anti-Indian Hunt yes, Manning!
After his close friend and dem connived to prevent Daren Ganga from heading off to India for the India Premier League Champions' League Cricket Tournament ---more Manningevalian anti-Indian witch hunt, who knows"--- a plot which was only foiled by the timely intervention of perhaps the only politician who seems to know the value of sports where forging national unity is concerned and after seeing how it was an Indian conglomerate from India itself that underwrote the expenses of getting Ganga and his men to India, it real amazing to hear that Prime Minister Manning now rushing to shower the same Ganga with copious accolades, moreover, in chorus with that Hunt, whose main focus has been to get freeness from Jack for his boys dem?
Perhaps they ---Manning and his Hunt--- get tie-up when they heard that Daren Ganga had declared their phenomenal victory over the powerhouse and pre-tournament favourites, New South Wales Blues as a victory for the country?
How?
Gawdammit!
Because as far as Manning and Hunt concerned, this is PNM country! But, on that, we know better and we set like hungry mappepire, waiting fuh dem, whether it's at Local level or, if some spirit take him again, this time to make him put out an early General call.
In any case, birds of a
Manning! That's why we, the people, dismiss your proffered congratulations. So! Stuff yuh gratuitousness in yuh anti-Indian Hunt yes, Manning...lest yall blight our boys dem!
By the way, the Blues must be really feeling that their own colours now, ent?
Feel free to comment!
Unless the context otherwise makes plain, ALL rights to postings in this blog are reserved by the one who posted it.
Unless the context otherwise makes plain, ALL rights to postings in this blog are reserved by the one who posted it.
Tuesday, 13 October 2009
The question is, "Hugh is the best officer to lead T&T's Police Service?"
So! Here, again, around the Manning meddling-bush, go we?
News that Pennsylvania State University, of the the U S of A, shall recommend who is best suited to be Police Commissioner in T & T not only flies in the face of recent adamants by Prime Minister Manning and his Round Table of Yes-men and Yes-women that we, in this neck of the woods, are more than competent to handle ALL our affairs ---remember their abrasive 'Caribbean Court of Justice, rather than Privy Council' arguments?--- but re-roils the memory, for the same set of recruiters, last time they went at it, selected Stephen Williams, who, though the best-qualified, was rejected by Manning, inter alia, because he was 26th in order of seniority.
How lovelly [no misspelling there!] it would be if, this time, an officer and a gentleman from Five Rivers is selected, hugh [no misspelling there either!], in the eyes of every Five Riversian, is the best option to clean up the entire land ---which is what's most urgently needed.
News that Pennsylvania State University, of the the U S of A, shall recommend who is best suited to be Police Commissioner in T & T not only flies in the face of recent adamants by Prime Minister Manning and his Round Table of Yes-men and Yes-women that we, in this neck of the woods, are more than competent to handle ALL our affairs ---remember their abrasive 'Caribbean Court of Justice, rather than Privy Council' arguments?--- but re-roils the memory, for the same set of recruiters, last time they went at it, selected Stephen Williams, who, though the best-qualified, was rejected by Manning, inter alia, because he was 26th in order of seniority.
How lovelly [no misspelling there!] it would be if, this time, an officer and a gentleman from Five Rivers is selected, hugh [no misspelling there either!], in the eyes of every Five Riversian, is the best option to clean up the entire land ---which is what's most urgently needed.
Feel free to comment!
Unless the context otherwise makes plain, ALL rights to postings in this blog are reserved by the one who posted it.
Friday, 9 October 2009
That new 2% TTMF Mortgage Facility may be unconstitutional!
Subsequent to Finance Minister, Karen Nunez-Tesheira's announcement
---during her last Budget presentation--- that a special low-interest,
publicly-funded mortgage facility is to be introduced, the Trinidad and
Tobago Mortgage Finance Company Limited has taken to advertising the
relevant details on its website at http://www.ttmf-mortgages.com/twopercent.htm, as follows:
Before desperate housewives get agog in their knickers over such news, they need to ponder what I'm about to say:
In my view, the things which may make it unconstitutional are the last two TTMF-identified criteria:
Which brings us to the Constitution and what it provides, in particular, Section 4, which, in part, states:
There can be no denying that TTMF is a "public authority". No denying, too, that the funds the TTMF proposes to make available for this special facility are provided, lock, stock and barrel, out of the Public Treasury, or, if not, fully backed by the Public Treasury.Therefore, any idea that the HDC and other publicly-owned, housing-facilitator agencies ---which, as already stated, have traditionally favoured PNM hacks--- shall exclusively benefit from this special 2% mortgage facility is, at best, most repugnant and, in any case, worthy but of speedy defenestration.
Furthermore, such tradition can never be cited as a precedent to excuse what the constitution clearly forbids, for every reasonable assessor of such claim shall swiftly backdrive it past the purveyor. Such as, indeed, was just recently executed by brilliant Tunapunian, Prakash Moosai, J., when, in the matter of certain perks of Industrial Court judges, whilst finding for the claimant, Vernon Ashby, J., denounced the Cabinet's misconstrued notions stubbornly-held for 28 years ---from 1981--- in the following excoriation:
That's why Justice Moosai's finding must resonate, nay! send shivers up and down every recalcitrant spine that condescendingly stalks, juggernaut-like, up and down every corridor of power in the public sphere; and, once it does cascade through the nook or cranny up Dundonald Street, Port of Spain ---where TTMF's heads are quartered--- that state enterprise must promptly fall in line, then dispense with its offensive web-posted benchmarks.
* Culled from "Trinidad and Tobago Election and Boundaries Commission (EBC) Reports on General Elections Results", for each of the elections of 1991,1995, 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2007. (None of those reports are available online, but may be purchased from the EBC at TT$50 a pop)
Affordable housing at 2%
The 2% mortgage programme is a subsidized mortgage product administered by Trinidad and Tobago Mortgage Finance Company Limited (TTMF) on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.
The 2% mortgage programme is a subsidized mortgage product administered by Trinidad and Tobago Mortgage Finance Company Limited (TTMF) on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.
- The programme requirements are:
- Family income is $8,000 per month and less
- Mortgage loans at 2% to a maximum of $450,000
- Maximum terms of 25 years
- The mortgage amount may be increased to a maximum of $15,000 to assist in the purchase of household appliances. The amount will be added to the principal amount of the loan.
- Properties built/distributed for or on behalf of the Tobago House of Assembly (THA), Trinidad and Tobago Housing Development Corporation (HDC) and on Caroni Lands.
Special Criteria Apply
Before desperate housewives get agog in their knickers over such news, they need to ponder what I'm about to say:
"That new 2% TTMF Mortgage Facility may be unconstitutional!"
In my view, the things which may make it unconstitutional are the last two TTMF-identified criteria:
- That: "Properties built/distributed for or on behalf of the Tobago House of Assembly (THA), Trinidad and Tobago Housing Development Corporation (HDC) and on Caroni Lands." And, that:
- "Special Criteria Apply"
- Dealing first with "Special Criteria Apply", any reasonable person would conclude that that means the mortgagee shall decide ---based on totally extraneous factors--- of the merits of the relevant application. In other words, such decision will be subjectively, not objectively, made.
- Dealing
next with "Properties
built/distributed for or on behalf of the Tobago House of Assembly
(THA), Trinidad and Tobago Housing Development Corporation (HDC) and on
Caroni Lands", every reasonable person also knows that that means the
2% mortgage facility has been established to target
supporters/sycophants of the People's National Movement (PNM), since,
from even the most cursory analysis of elections' results through the years*,
the only conclusion to be drawn is that it has always been government
policy that only overwhelmingly-PNM-friendly voters are permitted by
the State to roost in those locales.
Which brings us to the Constitution and what it provides, in particular, Section 4, which, in part, states:
"It
is hereby recognised and declared that in Trinidad and Tobago there
have existed and shall continue to exist without discrimination by
reason of race, origin, colour, religion or sex, the following
fundamental human rights and freedoms, namely:-
a.
the right of the individual to life, liberty, security of the person
and enjoyment of property and the right not to be deprived thereof
except by due process of law;
b. the right of the individual to equality before the law and the protection of the law; and,
d. the right of the individual to equality of treatment from any public authority in the exercise of any functions."
b. the right of the individual to equality before the law and the protection of the law; and,
d. the right of the individual to equality of treatment from any public authority in the exercise of any functions."
There can be no denying that TTMF is a "public authority". No denying, too, that the funds the TTMF proposes to make available for this special facility are provided, lock, stock and barrel, out of the Public Treasury, or, if not, fully backed by the Public Treasury.Therefore, any idea that the HDC and other publicly-owned, housing-facilitator agencies ---which, as already stated, have traditionally favoured PNM hacks--- shall exclusively benefit from this special 2% mortgage facility is, at best, most repugnant and, in any case, worthy but of speedy defenestration.
Furthermore, such tradition can never be cited as a precedent to excuse what the constitution clearly forbids, for every reasonable assessor of such claim shall swiftly backdrive it past the purveyor. Such as, indeed, was just recently executed by brilliant Tunapunian, Prakash Moosai, J., when, in the matter of certain perks of Industrial Court judges, whilst finding for the claimant, Vernon Ashby, J., denounced the Cabinet's misconstrued notions stubbornly-held for 28 years ---from 1981--- in the following excoriation:
"...(throughout all that time,) Cabinet (had been acting) without the powers granted to it under the constitution!”
(See: http://guardian.co.tt/news/general/2009/10/05/pres-responsible-salaries-perks)
(See: http://guardian.co.tt/news/general/2009/10/05/pres-responsible-salaries-perks)
That's why Justice Moosai's finding must resonate, nay! send shivers up and down every recalcitrant spine that condescendingly stalks, juggernaut-like, up and down every corridor of power in the public sphere; and, once it does cascade through the nook or cranny up Dundonald Street, Port of Spain ---where TTMF's heads are quartered--- that state enterprise must promptly fall in line, then dispense with its offensive web-posted benchmarks.
Feel free to comment!
Unless the context otherwise makes plain, ALL rights to postings in this blog are reserved by the one who posted it.
* Culled from "Trinidad and Tobago Election and Boundaries Commission (EBC) Reports on General Elections Results", for each of the elections of 1991,1995, 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2007. (None of those reports are available online, but may be purchased from the EBC at TT$50 a pop)
Tuesday, 6 October 2009
Father Pedro must be turning in his grave!
Urban Development Company of Trinidad and Tobago (UDeCoTT) board member, Anthony Cherry, is reported to have blurted at a hastily-summoned UDeCoTT press conference that:
"I can't understand why you are suggesting because there is a commission of enquiry we must take it wholesale. So you can sit there and be battered day in and day out, have all of your rights trampled against and sit there and say-the Government appointed it, so we must take what we get. There are certain ways that commissions of enquiry are to be conducted..."
At the same conference, Dr. Krishna Bahadoorsingh, the Deputy Chairman of the same board retorted:
"If (our line Minister, Emily) Dick-Forde or UDeCoTT's
corporation sole, Finance Minister Karen Nunez-Tesheira, issues any
instruction to (UDeCoTT) to withdraw its application for
judicial review, it would not automatically follow the directive as it
would have to seek legal advice...", or words to the effect.
They were, of course, responding to calls from within and outside of the Parliament for them to resign over UDeCoTT's decision to challenge the Uff enquiry in court.
Don't be fooled by his surname! Mr. Cherry's no virgin ---he's an attorney-at-law of long practice. Dr. Bahadoorsingh's no virgin either ---he's one of the most successful businessmen in the Caribbean, one who, over the years, has had his fair share of interaction with the court system, not so Mr. Elias?
Thus, both of them must know that the place where one defends oneself after a court action against one is initiated is in the court? Except, like me, one does not recognize the court? But, then, unlike them, I am not holding public office...am I?
In conclusion: I believe that Dr. Bahadoorsingh is a St. Mary's College old boy. I know that Anthony Cherry and the other UDeCoTT board member present at the conference ---Wendell Dottin--- are. The watchwords of that prestigious institute of learning is:
VIRTUS ET SCIENTIA
CHARACTER AND KNOWLEDGE
The commonplace definition of “character” is: “What a person is when no one is looking at them”. Persons of steady character, then, are those who are the same in private as they appear to be in public. And the best definition of “Knowledge” is “Truth”, since to truth is the singular object of every pursuit of knowledge.
Regarding the UDeCoTT St. Mary's trio then, Father Pedro must be turning in his grave!
Feel free to comment!
Unless the context otherwise makes plain, ALL rights to postings in this blog are reserved by the one who posted it.
Shall we henceforth Calder man "Johnny"?
Back in the 20th century, there once permeated an all-powerful Trinbagonian-Prime-Ministerial close buddy of portly build, named Johnny O'Halloran, who, when found himself lined up in the crosshairs for his openly-known and well-documented corrupt deeds in public office, hopped on the first plane and hightailed it for parts unknown. Some say he went with thousand$, some say was tens of thousand$, others say he went with million$!
Whatever the amount, Johnny never returned to his native soil, not even post mortem...though some of what he took did ---In 1990, consequent upon National Alliance for Reconstruction administration-initiated legal action to recover what Johnny pilfered, the Tesoro oil company forked over US$28 million and O’Halloran's estate was forfeited.
Now, in the new millennium, the permeating presence of another all-powerful Trinbagonian-Prime-Ministerial close buddy of portly build has demonstrated that history does indeed repeat herself ---if one refuses to learn anything from her. One therefore, is not surprised that the new close buddy has left these shores upon the stokinguff of the fire already lit to bun him.
So! Shall one, henceforth, too, call the man "Johnny"?
Whatever the amount, Johnny never returned to his native soil, not even post mortem...though some of what he took did ---In 1990, consequent upon National Alliance for Reconstruction administration-initiated legal action to recover what Johnny pilfered, the Tesoro oil company forked over US$28 million and O’Halloran's estate was forfeited.
Now, in the new millennium, the permeating presence of another all-powerful Trinbagonian-Prime-Ministerial close buddy of portly build has demonstrated that history does indeed repeat herself ---if one refuses to learn anything from her. One therefore, is not surprised that the new close buddy has left these shores upon the stoking
So! Shall one, henceforth, too, call the man "Johnny"?
Feel free to comment!
Unless the context otherwise makes plain, ALL rights to postings in this blog are reserved by the one who posted it.
Sunday, 4 October 2009
If you love Obama, turn loose the beast!
Wanton waste!
We, the people, are yet reeling from the stunning exposé of renowned journalist, Jai Parasram, who brought to our, the people's, attention that, apparently, far beyond these shores, the people's money has been diverted into private pockets by surreptitious official legerdemain.
The Jyoti Communications report details how the people's money was paid out, lavasse, for the purpose of purchasing real estate to facilitate Trinidad and Tobago's (T&T's) foreign service operations in Canada, USA and other parts of the world, at a time when prevailing market conditions suggested such properties could easily have been acquired many-millions-of-dollars cheaper than they actually were; at a time, too, when "families in Trinidad and Tobago continue to struggle to pay for food and shelter". (See: http://jyoticommunication.
We, the people, are yet reeling from the stunning exposé of renowned journalist, Jai Parasram, who brought to our, the people's, attention that, apparently, far beyond these shores, the people's money has been diverted into private pockets by surreptitious official legerdemain.
The Jyoti Communications report details how the people's money was paid out, lavasse, for the purpose of purchasing real estate to facilitate Trinidad and Tobago's (T&T's) foreign service operations in Canada, USA and other parts of the world, at a time when prevailing market conditions suggested such properties could easily have been acquired many-millions-of-dollars cheaper than they actually were; at a time, too, when "families in Trinidad and Tobago continue to struggle to pay for food and shelter". (See: http://jyoticommunication.
Saturday, 3 October 2009
We want back the medal, Dr. Bahadoorsingh.
By Gazette Notice No. 146 of 2007 ---dated Friday August 31st of that year, to be precise--- we, the people of Trinidad and Tobago, were officially informed that the Chaconia Medal [Gold] had been conferred upon Dr. Krishna Bahadoorsingh, ostensibly for his "Long and Meritorious Service to us, the people of Trinidad and Tobago", in the sphere of business activities. It was the highest National Award bestowed that year.
(See: http://www.news.gov.tt/E-Gazette/Gazette%202007/Gazette%20No.%20146%20of%202007.pdf)
The most apt definition of "meritorious" one may find is that it is an adjective which means "deserving praise for being good or worthwhile".
At the time the National Award was upon him bestowed, apart from his other business pursuits, Dr. Krishna Bahadoorsingh had already been a member of the Board of the Urban Development Company of Trinidad and Tobago (UDeCoTT) of longstanding ---he had so been since Methuselah was a teenager--- and, for a substantial portion throughout, had been smugly ensconced in the Deputy Chairman's seat. At time of writing, that status quo still holds.
Cutting to the chase!
Dr. Krishna Bahadoorsingh is part of the cabal that has deliberately embarked on a course to frustrate the will of the people of T&T by co-presiding over the obfuscation of trails that would have shown how the people's money has been horribly mismanaged by the people-owned entity that is UDeCoTT, even though, as a result of diligent investigation, all accusatory eyes and fingers are pointed into the heartland of an unrepentant UDeCoTT and pointed so intensely and intently that one may be excused for harking to the etymology of "meritorious" the better to understand why Dr. Bahadoorsingh got his 2007 Chaconia Medal ---the epithet's derived from the Latin word "meritorius", which means, "earning money".
Not once, apparently, has this meritorious doctor stood up and said, "Enough is enough! Let the people know the truth!" regarding the surreptitious shenanigans of the UDeCoTT juggernaut they, the people, own.
Such silence on his part, then, condemns Dr. Krishna Bahadoorsingh to be damned, maybe even fingered, as being party to whatever misdeeds occurred ---guilt by association.
The Chaconia Medal is not something with which one may lightly trifle and Dr. Krishna Bahadoorsingh's actions in UDeCoTT office certainly do not seem to be deserving praise for being good or worthwhile.Unless he can show very cogent cause why he may hold on to it, Dr. Krishna Bahadoorsingh has forfeited every right to sport such an encomium.
Therefore, Dr. Bahadoorsingh, until your named is cleared, we want back the medal!
(See: http://www.news.gov.tt/E-Gazette/Gazette%202007/Gazette%20No.%20146%20of%202007.pdf)
The most apt definition of "meritorious" one may find is that it is an adjective which means "deserving praise for being good or worthwhile".
At the time the National Award was upon him bestowed, apart from his other business pursuits, Dr. Krishna Bahadoorsingh had already been a member of the Board of the Urban Development Company of Trinidad and Tobago (UDeCoTT) of longstanding ---he had so been since Methuselah was a teenager--- and, for a substantial portion throughout, had been smugly ensconced in the Deputy Chairman's seat. At time of writing, that status quo still holds.
Cutting to the chase!
Dr. Krishna Bahadoorsingh is part of the cabal that has deliberately embarked on a course to frustrate the will of the people of T&T by co-presiding over the obfuscation of trails that would have shown how the people's money has been horribly mismanaged by the people-owned entity that is UDeCoTT, even though, as a result of diligent investigation, all accusatory eyes and fingers are pointed into the heartland of an unrepentant UDeCoTT and pointed so intensely and intently that one may be excused for harking to the etymology of "meritorious" the better to understand why Dr. Bahadoorsingh got his 2007 Chaconia Medal ---the epithet's derived from the Latin word "meritorius", which means, "earning money".
Not once, apparently, has this meritorious doctor stood up and said, "Enough is enough! Let the people know the truth!" regarding the surreptitious shenanigans of the UDeCoTT juggernaut they, the people, own.
Such silence on his part, then, condemns Dr. Krishna Bahadoorsingh to be damned, maybe even fingered, as being party to whatever misdeeds occurred ---guilt by association.
The Chaconia Medal is not something with which one may lightly trifle and Dr. Krishna Bahadoorsingh's actions in UDeCoTT office certainly do not seem to be deserving praise for being good or worthwhile.Unless he can show very cogent cause why he may hold on to it, Dr. Krishna Bahadoorsingh has forfeited every right to sport such an encomium.
Therefore, Dr. Bahadoorsingh, until your named is cleared, we want back the medal!
Feel free to comment!
Unless the context otherwise makes plain, ALL rights to postings in this blog are reserved by the one who posted it.
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