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THE LAST SUPPER - SEPARATING FACTS FROM FICTION: POLITICS IN TRINIDAD & TOBAGO!
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With "Election Day" in about a week or so from now, I felt it necessary to separate some "facts from fiction" about our Political History in Trinidad & Tobago. (source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)
I felt it was necessary to do so, because this election will be a deciding factor towards the future direction our country will be heading post election, and a very important one at that.
No stop signs, no U-turns, no turning back, but moving full speed ahead in my view, towards some type of Maximum Leader, Dictatorship or Executive Presidency, whether we like it or not!. But thats only if we stand by idly and allow it to happen!.
THE PEOPLE'S NATIONAL MOVEMENT - (PNM)
The PNM was formed in 1955 by Eric Williams and won its first General Elections in 1956, capturing 13 of the 24 elected seats with 38.7% of the votes cast.
It went on to hold power for 30 unbroken years. When Williams died in 1981, George Chambers then became the leader of the party.
UNDER THE WEIGHT OF CORRUPTION AND MISMANAGEMENT THE PARTY WAS TOTALLY DEFEATED IN 1986 ELECTIONS, LOSING 33-3 TO THE NATIONAL ALLIANCE for RECONSTRUCTION. (NAR)
Under the leadership of Patrick Manning, the party returned to power in 1991, but lost power in 1995 to the UNITED NATIONAL CONGRESS (UNC) IN THE FACE OF RISING CRIME AND ALLEGATIONS OF CORRUPTION AND MISMANAGEMENT.
The PNM lost the 2000 General Elections, but a split in the UNC forced "new elections" in 2001. These elections resulted in a 18-18 tie between the PNM and the UNC, and President Arthur N.R.Robinson appointed Manning as Prime Minister. Manning was unable to elect a Speaker of the House of Representatives, but won an outright majority in new elections held in 2002.
As before, crime rates have risen sharply and five (5) senior members of the PNM party are currently under investigation for corruption.
In the 1961 General Elections the PNM won 20 of the 30 seats with 58% of the vote.
Trinidad and Tobago gained its independence on August 31, 1962.
In the 1966 General Elections the PNM won 24 of the 36 seats with 52% of the vote.However, economic and social discontent grew under PNM rule. This came to a climax in April 1970 with the Black Power Revolution. On April 13, PNM Deputy Leader and Minister of External Affairs A.N.R Robinsion resigned from the party and the government.
In 1971 General Elections, the PNM faced only limited opposition as the major parties boycotted the election citing the use of voting machines. The PNM captured all 36 seats in the election, including 8 which they carried unopposed.
Additionally, Williams split the post of Deputy Leader into three and appointed Kamaluddin Mohammed, Errol Mahabir and George Chambers to the position.
In 1976 the PNM won 24 of the 36 seats with 54% of the vote.
...On March 29, 1981 Eric Williams died. President Ellis Clarke appointed George Chambers Prime Minister in preference to Kamaluddin Mohammed and Errol Mahabir. It was widely assumed that Mohammed and Mahabir weere not selected because they were Indo-Trinidadians. Chambers led the PNM to victory in 1981 General Elections. The PNM won 26 of the 36 seats with 52% of the vote.
...In 1986 PNM was de feated by the National Alliance for Reconstruction (NAR) under the leadership of A.N.R.Robinson. The PNM won 3 of 36 seats with 32% of the vote. Chambers resigned and was succeeded by PAtrick Manning as Political Leader.
...WHEN MANNING BECAME LEADER HE PROMISED AN "NEW PNM" AND PURPOSELY DISCREDITED THE "OLD GUARD". Keith Rowley then became one of his three deputy leaders.
...The PNM was returned to power in the 1991 elections after NAR self-destructed. PNM won 21 of the 36 seats with 45% of the vote. The PNM became unstable when it lost one seat in a bye election and another when Ralph Maraj defected to the United National Congress. (UNC).
...As a result, Manning called a "snap election" in 1995. The PNM lost the 1995 election winning 17 of 36 seats with 48% of the vote. The UNC under Basdeo Panday also won 17 seats and formed a coalition government with the NAR which had won the remaining two(2) seats.
...In 1997, when PNM leadership elections were held, Manning was challenged by Keith Rowley and Manning was returned as Political Leader.
...In 2000, PNM suffered another defeat, winning 16 of the 36 seats with 46% of the vote.
...Under the leadership of Basdeo Panday, the UNC went on to win the 2000 General Elections but internal strife in the party forced another election in 2001 which resulted in a tie with both the PNM and the UNC winning 18-18 seats. The PNM with 46% of the electoral vote and the UNC with 50% of the electoral vote.
...Without any clear constitutional guidelines, President Robinson chose Patrick Manning as the Prime Minister based on "MORAL AND SPIRITUAL VALUES".
...The PNM unable to elect a Speaker of the House, Manning advised the President to prorogue Parliament. On October 7, 2002 the PNM won 20 of the 36 seats with 50.7% votes.
...The current administration has been plagued with a sharp increase in viloent crime, controversy regarding appointments and the issue of broadcast licenses, and allegations of incompetence, corruption and nepotism.
...Among the issues are:
...A sharp increase in Kidnappings and other crimes.
- Manning stated that he did not believe that the kidnapping situation was as much a big problem as the press tried to make it.
- National Security Minister Martin Joseph also said that he did not think the crime was a big problem.
- Appointement of Manning's wife, Hazel Manning, as a Senator and Minister of Education. Mrs Manning had no political experience, and an appointment like this was without precedent in TnT politics.
- The allegation by PNM Councillor Dansam Dhansook that he paid bribes to Minister of Works, Franklin Khan and Minister of Energy, Eric A.Williams. One year after receiving the letter, Manning reportedly hs not acted on it. After the matter was made public, Khan resigned his ministerial portfolio. On November 23, 2005 Khan, who was also party chairman, was arrested and charged with six counts of misbehaviour in public office.
- The allegation that Housing Minister, Keith Rowley received bribes in connection with the award of contracts for the construction of Scarborough Hospital
- Two other Senior PNM officials are before the Integrity Commission.
... as of today, October 31, 2007 there are 291 reported murders in Trinidad, ten(10) of those happening within the last 72 hours and a total of 38 murders happening in this month of October alone in the Land of Milk and Honey!
... the assault on a candidate in the election race, and other threats of violence to the opposition party members
... the outstanding decision of the Tribunal Hearing on the Chief Justice
...the Andre Monteil (treasurer of the PNM party) affair - the transfer of $110 million dollars worth of shares to jointly owned companies held with his wife
...the Issue of the "Secret Draft Constitution Document" as it relates to "the Executive Presidency" along with the "denial" and cover-up by Christine and Manning
... the high rate of inflation
... ongoing no water or water shortage problems
... ongoing flooding problems, roads, homes and property destruction
... lack of security and policing for the safety of the citizens of the country
...lack of policing facilities and equipment, cars and telephones
...the missing billion dollar crime fighter, "eye in the sky" blimp that we can't see and find
...the invisible billion dollar "high tech radar system" that was touted can cover the carribean for drugs and gun runners, yet guns and drugs are coming into the country by the boatloads undetected
... ongoing problems with unsafe schools and unfit accomodations for students, (classes held under Mango Trees?)
...carnage on the roads, traffic jams and poor roads conditions and no roads at all
...poor health facilities and lack of proper health care and no beds at hospitals for patients
...food shortages and ongoing scarcities along with high food prices an no food at all
...increasing poverty
...chronic unemployment
...ongoing labour unrest
...closing down of the sugar industry with no planning in place for the sugar farmers or compensation or jobs
...corruption and mismanagement of the countries resources, the oil and gas revenues and its depletion, the closing down of BWIA and "giving away" of the Heathrow slots...etc, etc, etc....!
.....the list just goes on and on.....endlessly! take your pick!
...on November 5th, think carefully, before you choose, weigh the facts and discard the fiction - separate the "sheep from the goat" and "truth from un-truth" along with all the broken, empty and unfulfilled promises...
...as this may very well be our last port of call, our last supper together "as a Nation"!
...think of where this so called "Land of Milk and Honey" is located and whether you can find it now or in the future
...there may not be a second chance around again!
...think freedom, think change, think of the future, think of what we want for ourselves, our children and for their future
...think of what we would like to see for the future of our country...(of our once sweet and safe) Trinidad and Tobago!
...think of the many broken, empty and hollow promises made in the past
...think of the many, many more promises now again being made for the future
..finally, think leadership, as leadership will and does matter, if not, our Nation as we know it will be at great risk!
Goodluck to you all my friends and fellow trinis, be afraid, be very afraid this time around! vote carefully and wisely!
Trini.t.o.o.
- 3349 reads
During the past fifty one (51) years (1956 - 2007):
The PNM has been in power for forty (40) of those years:
(1956 - 1986) (1991 - 1995) and (2001 - 2007).
The NAR held power between 1986 -1991 under A.N.R Robinson as Prime Minister.
Patrick Manning has been the Leader of the PNM since 1991 and has been the Prime Minister between (1991-1995) and (2001 to present).
Manning lost power to a UNC/NAR coalition led by Basdeo Panday in 1995, who held power between 1995 -2000.
In 2000, UNC led by Basdeo Panday won the elections and held power for nine(9) months before he called an election in 2001 which produced an 18-18 tie.
As a result, Panday lost power to the PNM regime led by Patrick Manning.
The PNM won the 2002 elections, and Patrick Manning has held power until present, 2007.
What are the parties best known for?
The PNM, for the forty plus years in power, is best known for and associated with "rising crime", "mismanagement and corruption"!
Added to that list now, is "nepotism" and "dictatorship tendencies"! {Secret Draft Constitution}[Executive Presidency]?
The NAR had been best know for self -destruction and no longer exist!.
The UNC led by Basdeo Panday, has been best known and recognized for internal strife amongst its members and self-destruction.!
Hence their early fall from power and the resurrection of UNC-Alliance, with no expressed leader to date.
The COP is a new party just about a year old lead by Winston Dookeran, and is yet to be tried and tested.
The Choices are:
The PNM
History speaks for itself, as there is a clear repeat of all the litany of ills associated with and so characteristic of the PNM regime as presently listed!
It is also evident and a fact that at present, crime is again the number one problem facing the people of the country under the current PNM administration lead by Patrick Manning.
There are also allegations of corruption and mismanagement!.
And in addition, there is now also nepotism and allegations of a secret draft amendment of the constitution to install an "executive Presidency"! A Dictator if you will.
The UNC-A
While there is constant call for unity by Basdeo Panday and Jack Warner, there is no declared Leader, and there appears to be more disunity and confusion than any real attempts for cohesion amongst its people.
The COP:
A year old party lead by Winston Dookeran, who has in the short peiod of time gained a lot of supporters and has fielded an impressive slate of respectable candidates, who seems like a very professional and dedicated group of people who's bent on restoring some sense of integrity, responsibility and accountability in good governance. They refer to it as "new politics"!
In my review, the PNM is a horrible repeat of the same old crime, corruption, mismanagement and nepotism, along with the new threat of the "creeping dictatorship" which is very troubling!
The UNC-A is also a repeat of in-fighting and the unresolved leadership issues which renders it unstable and is a recipe for self-destruction within the near future. Very unreliable!
The COP, a new party but has the experience,is interesting and challenging, and brings forward new and inovative initiatives for change! A change that is not only necessary but also very much required. Very professional too!
My choice would be COP, as they can't do worse than the first two, they can only do better, much better at that.!
But then you'll have to decide for yourselves, and quickly too, there's little time left to get your fingers stained!
Vote wisely my friends, but do vote!
Goodluck Trini.t.o.o
I just realised that we have no outright PNM supporters joining this site to debate any issue - at all.
I am delighted that at least 'scholar' had the courage to engage us - and to fight his corner. That too is what politics is about.
So where are the PNM-ites? Are they afraid to join us and promote their own corner. Afraid of what? We cyah beat up people out here on the internet - or send dee police to arrest dem for hawking on the side of the street. I guess scholar could enlighten us - I guess he'd probably say that all PNM-ites had no time to waste.
my uncle patos is the best things since uncle eric . so who vex loss
WE will flog them in central
we will flog them in the east
we will flog them in the west
we will flog them in the north
and diffinitely we will flog them in the south!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
who aint voting PNM dead
UNC-A is dead in the race long time " JACK-A*& WARNER " oh plz
COP hmm! allyuh agreeing with men like anil SPALK roberts, who sour cause cousin boynes aint renew his contract, hmm!!!!!!!!! OH GOD , roy dotish agustus . he cud not even run ah flippin primary school in rosary boy's , of which i was a student during his tenure so i no , dont even talk about NCC HMMMMMM!!!!! I aint no w na
the only option is the PNM
GRAET IS THE PNM
GREAT IS THE PNM
GREAT IS THE PNM
AN WE SHALL PREVAIL
If we look at the voters motivation in supporting the various parties we can suggest that PNMites vote with their bellies, UNC supporters with their hearts and COP supporters with their head. So big k yuh hungry boy and the only way yuh go ful yuh belly is to stay with patos cuz yuh fraid no one else go be there to give yuh the bottle ah milk when yuh need to get ah feeding.
Ouch that was harsh TriniCan but true bout the PNM. Typical victims of hand to mouth and dependency. Massa still control them. They settle for crumbs. And of course they good chain up on the race factor. Ruled by fear. Thankfully, it is not all ah them. Ah not sure bout UNC voting with hearts. To some extent true but some ah dem does come across as lamb being led to the slaughter but going nevertheless. In other words just empty hearts and heads.
I recall in 1986, PNM was on their drum role sure sure that election was in de bag. Very confident, till they get 33-3 in de tail all in de west, east, north and south. Patrick barely held on to his seat.
From what I see from the cries of beating dem in de east, west blah blah was applicable in the previous election where race was the overriding factor. As such that was a rallying cry to race to band together to 'beat them'. That race factor, although still existent is not an overwhelming factor in this election. So that rallying cry is not applicable...hence why Patos didn't use it that much.
Another thing is that a lot has happened since then including the high prices of food and high crime etc etc. In other words doh ask meh to beat anybody in no cardinal points when me and meh chirren sufferin.
Plenty ppl mind tu'n..and it doesn't really matter if meh boy refute it or not.
So I will again say this election is not all that cut and dry as some ppl believe. It may well work out in de PNM favour. There is an equal chance that it may not. Patos knows this that is why he has been careful not to trip of anybody...choosing his words carefully and making meek pleas for ppl to 'protect the treasury'.
It definetly it will not work out in the UNC favour and ah know meh boy scholar goh froth up at de mouth when he hear that. Pandy and he boys know that too hence the many ah national meetings they held in their own heartland to basically survive....hiring HCU and other hitmen on Shakti to keep de thing alive. Not even Jack money was doing it for them.
I ent make up meh mind yet but I going and vote......but I just want these two juggernauths to know that 'nothing is in the bag'
well if voting for the GREAT PNM is voting with my belly well then i say
yes , cause that further reasurres me that for the next five years i aint
goin hungry!!!HINT HINT
so trinican yes i'm voting with belly. cause if voting with my head means
voting for the ideals, principles an beliefs of ppl like agustus, ramlogan,
ramsaran (who always sleeping on the PPL's parliment station), tewarie, assam
and for heavens sake ANIL BIG MOUTH SPALK ROBERTS, my god well then give me my
belly any day yes!!!!!
and as for UNC-A supporters if that is voting with your hearts i wont want
to love me na, yes . i could do without that love
and swing vote i see where yuh coming from but like u said is not the same as
it was back then!! an how many PNM rallies have you been too clearly
not many proably justthe one being broadcasted on tv cause my uncle has used
that rally cry at every rally i've been to from north to south east to west
an in tobago.
but i must agree with you when you say not even jack A%& warner money could
save them now , cause i'm one who put on they jersey to collect the $200
at various rallies jus to pay to go to the next PNM rally , so let them
count the crowd support at the various "CONCERTS" , an ps there were many like me !!!!!
how the ole ppl is say "they dead from the root"
great is the pnm
great is the pnm
great is the pnm
an we shall prevail !!!!!!!!!!!!!
Boy Captain Walker please don't make any more calls. All them fellas coming outta dey hole. Yuh just went from 'birds' to 'numbers' (remember when yuh use to flip de coin?). Ah mean ah appreciate and respect meh boy point ah view but oh gosh....those who live in glass houses should not throw stones. Manning, Colm, Rahael and the whole group ah dem ent no better than de names u have mentioned. And why would yuh buss up meh boy Anil (and yeah he mouth real big boy) when yuh have sick men like Wendell, Shabazz, George Umballa, Selwyn Cudjoe, Louis Lee Singh, David Mohammed and all ah de rest. And if meh boy wish to be honest about things he would say that this current PNM has some serious problems with its leadership. It's only fortunate that they are de incumbent government with their hands all over the ppl money else they themselves would not have won/buy de electioin. Manning ketch he tail to get back dey.....hence de house padding just to stay there. I am just happy that the electorate is wisening up and pretty soon all this rum and roti and tribal politics would have a difficult time finding its place here. And not even house padding and 'carrot on de stick' could save de PNM. Not until they come with some performers and proper policies for the ppl.
7000 in woodford square - how pitiful can u get. We had 80,000 OMG!
The COP will be cremated tommorow.
Cant wait to hear the excuses from you lot on Tuesday.
Gotta go, tired from converting COP idiots back to unca, and boy did I convert.
Oh well time to sleep.
Scholar, many of us here have very strong hearts indeed. You will recall that some of us predicted a PNM victory.
If a PNM election victory was built on support of strong hearts instead of small minds - that would be something to rant about, and I for one would have celebrated with you.
However, I do not join in with slime and scumbags in celebrating any victory. If the PNM wins I will not be crying because of a COP defeat. Instead I will be moaning for the suffering of innocents to come.
Since you doh have time I wouldn't arks yuh to check the value of the various currencies or to plot them - dat could also risk causing you a stroke or something. So I'll spare you. See here:
See values referenced against Pound Sterling:
462 Guyanese dollars (depreciated 11% in last year)
146 Jamaican dollars (depreciated 12% in last year)
83 Indian rupees (appreciated 3.7% in last year)
75 Haitian gourdes (depreciated 4% in last year)
13.05 Trinidadian dollars (depreciated 8% in last year).
4.16 Barbadian dollars (no figures available on appreciation)
Source http://www.oanda.com/products/fxmap/fxmap.shtml
In 1990 the TT dollar was 7.50 to a pound sterling. Ain't it a bit funny that in the last year the Indian rupee has appreciated but the TT dollar has slipped backward.
Well yuh boy, Manning promising land of milk and honey out of all the big oil bonanza. Any bets that the Trinidad dollar will appreciate in the first year after the PNM wins? No I wouldn't put my money there.
Total = 458,674 votes = 46.31% of 990,352.
Where's 56%? 56% of 990,352 = 554,597
Non-voters = 990,352 - 458,674 = 531,678.= 53.68%
The election in 2000, voter turn out was 63.05 percent
2001, voter turn out was 66.13 percent
2002, voter turn out was 69.64 percent
2002 (609,571 voted from a list of 875,260)
Just for the record, about half of the eligible voter population did not vote, if these figures from EBC are correct! That is a sizable number of people. Anyone has a logical answer? or is the calculation wrong? According to the press report, these figures were still being counted at 11.30 p.m so they stand to be corrected?
I am just curious with all the intense public interest in this election, and a poor voter turn out, whether there is a plausible reason or rationale for it. Just a thought!
Any logical input is welcome!
Trini.t.o.o.
Just thinking about this: 236,000 people who voted PNM were the ones who led the country to PNM rule.
That means that 236,420/ 990,352 = 0.24 or 24% of the electorate were the ones to command the direction of T&T.
Who are these people? What is there level of intelligence? They could be blind and stupid people for all I know.
And to add to the crap COP who obtained more votes over UNC-A did not get a single seat.
This is a monumental and catastrophic absurdity. There is a fundamental flaw in the current system that alllows 24% of the electorate to decide the leadership of a whole Nation. This is a monumental and catastrophic absurdity.
Anyone willing to bet on the PNM introducing proportional representation?
Now that we are at the eve of the election, I would like to say thanks to all of you - captain Walker, TriniCan, Swingvote, Scholar, Jumbie and Big K, et al who have all in some way added some colour and spice to the number of different viewpoints on the election and the parties and their respective leaders.!
What is very noticeable to me, is how easily the people forgot all the troubles and day to day issues facing the nation, and got wrapped up in all the "fetes" and "partying" that went for "politicking", and no one "challenged" the PNM on their record, past and present, on dealing with the very issues which the people will complain about on November 6th, when they realize it is all still there for another five years of crime, kidnapping, murders, rapes and robberies and corruption, lack of health care, no water, roads, poor educational facilities for the kids, lack of policing, equipment or security, and the list goes on and on...!
And nobody held Manning responsible and accountable for it, nor asked him why he allowed it to happen "under his watch", or how exactly he planned to deal with it!
No one held his feet to the fire for being so callous and uncaring to the people, and being so selfish, all the while squandering the people's money on "frills"!
But the fetes and partying continues as a masquerade for governing the country, and the "road show" continues.!
I can see why Manning said TnT people not ready for "debates" on television, they not mature enough for it.! I can see why he said that now! No questions asked and no answers given, just the way he likes it! Manning laughing all the way to the bank!
I still hold high hopes for COP, as it is my belief that they would have been good for a change for TnT, as it is really a "must" now if TnT will go forward.
If on the other hand PNM goes back for another term, then the people deserve everything they get, but then they will have to live with it, and stop complaining, for they must like it that way!
Thanks again guys, see what comes tomorrow, could be a surprise too! Just wait and see.You never can tell,otherwise we'll need a miracle somewhere down the road for all our sake!
Goodluck! Trini.t.o.o
The PNM has held "power" for over forty years and during all that time, their die-hard supporters are worse off today than they were ever under the rule of their "colonial masters", all of this thanks to their "PNM who is great"!
The people in places like Laventille, Morvant, Diego Martin, La Brea and Point Fortin just to name a few, who are die-hard supporters of the PNM, (PNM till ah die) are living in more "hell" and "poverty" today than ever before, despite their undying support for PNM, they have also moved from "independance" from forty years ago, to "dependency" on the PNM today for their daily bread and living.! Thanks to their "great PNM"!
Thanks to "their great PNM", after the two "oil booms" of the early 70's and now, in last five years and over $200 BILLION DOLLARS LATER, all they have to show for it are two tall buildings in P.O.S, two stadiums, one missing blimp, and one "148 Million Dollar Mansion" for Manning, and "his people" still living in "lean-to shacks" of rusting galvanize and boxes by the side of the railway lines, or old shacks cobbled with sticks and stones on the side of the hills,again thanks to their "great PNM".
In addition, the so called "housing" that the PNM has been crowing about, no half-decent person raising a family would live in them "chicken coop boxes", and if you spit hard it will go all the way in the neighbour's living room!. But thanks to their great PNM!
And then, their "great PNM" said they also wanted to bring in pre-fab houses like "freight containers" to house people, thanks to their Great PNM! "Freight containers?What a "brilliant idea", in fact a "great idea from the great PNM"! Most civilized people won't keep goats in that, just for the goodness of heart and the welfare of the animals, but not the "Great PNM", what do they care?!
Most people who worked very hard to build their own houses, including the cane farmers, had built houses large enough to house two families, upstairs and downstairs, and you had to get a bicycle to go from the living room to get to the kitchen, thats a "house", not the boxes the "great PNM" building and fooling the people and telling them they are "housing" them. But thats how great the PNM are! right? But then when you never lived in one, anything is "stepping up" like Manning says, right? You stepping up with the "great PNM", yes?
Thanks to the "great PNM", in the last five years, with over 1700 people murdered/killed, and over 97% were either "supporters" of the PNM party or Afro Trinis or "community leaders", and like the "great PNM" cared! In fact the PNM Prime Minister said that crime was not an issue, and this year 297 more people has been murdered, and more than 32 killed in the month of "Red October" alone. All of this, thanks to the "Great PNM", and like Manning really cares.!
And the children being schooled under mango trees, or in their delapidated schools with the ever present stench of raw sewage from their toilets all day, thanks to the "great PNM".
Or the sick and dying lying in the corridors and hallways of the hospitals for lack of medical care, thanks to the "great PNM".! But the PNM leaders can fly out to Cuba, America, England or Canada to have their "hearts" checked out, could you? Thanks to your "great PNM"!
The "greatness of the PNM" is resounding, and like a "plague" touches the lives of every citizen every day, in suffering, hunger, sickness, and yes, deaths, killings, murders, robberies, kidnappings, most of which leaves the die-hard PNM supporters most affected than any other group, except for those that are "robbed or kidnapped". And for all of this, thanks to the "great PNM".!
The point of all of this is, when someone choose to use the word "great", it is normally associated with positive and good things.
So it is really surprising in your use of a superlative to describe the "PNM" as great since there is yet to find something "good" or "positive" that they have accomplished during their long stay in power, ask their die-hard supporters; but then pigs don't think they stink either, nor do they feel the pig sty is dirty, to them that is, even as they wallow in filth all day!
But then you "stepping up" with Patrick, you stepping up with the PNM! Your "great PNM'. Pity you don't know or ever will recognize the difference. Some greatness!
From independant back to dependant, from freedom to back to shackles and chains, and you think thats "stepping up with the "great PNM", what a pity, a "great pity"!
Goodluck! you'll greatly need it, soon!
Trini.t.o.o.
The facts as presented by many of you shine brightly.
However, the blind will not be able to see that which is blinding to the sighted.
I've been looking at the paid advertisements on T&T TV. Manning has played his political psychology very well on the population. The propaganda about loving the people, caring for them, providing hope of a promised land, and being close to them - touching them and hugging them - are the things that predict an election victory.
New Scientist (p6, 13th October 2007) reported on the factors underpinning voters' behaviour as found by Fortunato &Castellano. The article told us that:
So the PNM has played by accident or design the right cards. Assuming the science is correct, the outcome is predictable.
On the other hand the population could have had a last minute dose of commonsense, and realised that the PNM is serious bad news for the Nation and its innocent children.
This could well be the case because voter apathy that was originally expected is not the case. The media in T&T are reporting over 80% voter turnout in many parts of the country.
Could it be another landslide? Could he PNM be goin' dong? We go see!!
KBRMEX
KBRMEX...
I SAID IT THEN...AND I'LL SAY IT AGAIN...
THOSE OF US...WHO SUPPORT THE COP...ARE TRULY CONCERNED ABOUT T&T...THE REST OF YOU...WHO SUPPORTED THE PANDAYS...AND THE RAMESH..AND THEM OTHER JACKS..OUT THERE......ARE NOT AS CONCERNED..WITH THE FUTURE OF THE COUNTRY...
YOU ONLY WANT TO SEE...YOUR PSUDO GODS...IN PANDAY...RAMESH AND JACK...ON PEDESTALS..
YOU TELL US..WE MUST UNITE ...WITH THEM...TO OUST THE PNM...
WE HAD THE BALLS...TO STAND UP ALONE...TO FACE THE PNM...AND...MR DOOKERAN HAS SHOWN THE COURAGE..TO STAND TALL...TO THE END...NOT TO RIDE YOUR BACKS..AS PANDAY ET AL ...HAS DONE FOR THE LAST MANY YEARS...ONLY TO THE SEAT OF OPPOSITION..
THE ONE TIME.HE MADE IT IN GOVERNMENT..IT WAS DOOKS...SADIQ...ETC..THAT MADE HIM LOOK GOOD IN OFFICE...WHILE HE DRAGGED HIMSELF INTO THE MUD...WITH CORRUPTION...WITH CARLOS JOHN..AND ISH..
WAKE UP..YOU BLIND PEOPLE...
DOOKS WAS BRAVE ENOUGH TO STAND ON HIS OWN...AND THREATEN...THE LIKES OF THE PNM AND THE UNC...
THEY HAD TO COMBINE FORCES..TO BEAT THE COP...
WE MAY BE BEATEN...BUT WE WILL RISE AGAIN...WE MAY NOT HAVE WON A SINGLE SEAT...BUT...WE SURE AS HELL...HAD THEM BOTH BITEING NAILS...IN PANIC FOR THE LAST FEW MONTHS...
AT LEAST..THEY KNOW..NOW...WE ARE A FORCE TO BE RECONED WITH...!!...HAVE FAITH ...
TO ALL THE COP SUPPORTERS...LETS...KEEP THE DREAM ...ALIVE...WE HAVE AWAKENED THE MASSES...AND WE NEED TO CONTINUE...THE FIGHT...
LIKE TRINI SAY...THE PNM SO GREAT ..THAT THE MASSES OF THE DIE HARD SUPPORTERS...STILL...IN THE DEPENDENCY OF THE PNM...AND THE SAME GOES FOR THE BLIND SUPPORTERS OF THE UNC...WHO...LIKE THEIR LEADER...ALWAYS HAVE A GOOD EXCUSE AS TO WHY...THE ALWAYS IN OPPOSITION...!!...IT IS ALWAYS...SOMBODY FAULT...NOT THEIR OWN...
PANDAY ALWAYS HAVE A GOOD EXCUSE...THE LAST TIME HE SAID...I DIDN'T KNOW HOW THE MONEY GET THERE...HINDU WIVES RUN THE FINANCES OF THE FAMILY...!!...
HOW DUMB...YOU PEOPLE REALLY ...WANT TO BE...!!..AND YOU STILL WENT AND VOTE FOR HIM...!!
RAMESH ON THE OTHER HAND...SELL ALL OF THEM OUT TO THE PNM LAST ELECTION...AND MAKE THE PNM WIN LAST ELECTION...AND LIKE JOHNEY COME LATELY...RETURN...TO SWING VOTES...AND ..STEAL FROM THE MOBILIZED COP SUPPORT....WITH THE "CRIES FOR UNITY"....WELL..IT WORKED...ASK YOURSELF ..NOW....COULD IT BE THAT RAMESH...REALLY STILL....WORKING FOR THE PNM...!!TO MAKE SURE..THAT THE FOOLS WHO HAVE DOUBT..WILL GO BACK TO THE UNC...AND CONTINUE WITH TRIBAL VOTING...FOR THE UNC...SO AS TO ASSURE THE PNM..WOULD WIN..!!
LET'S GIVE THAT A SERIOUS THOUGHT...EH...!!
KBRMEX
I am not too sure Captain, but somewhere in the "historical stats" of our politics supported higher turnout translated into change of outcome!
The issue of voter apathy has been associated with Non-PNMites mostly not going out to vote because they thought it was useless to do so, since the outcome was predictable. To the contrary, the PNMites were always more loyal and always voted - plus they never faced any threats or intimidation to prevent them from doing so, unlike those from the other parties.
So if the voter turnout has increased to about 80%, thats pretty high, even if it is only in some areas. I would take that to mean that the voters are determined and serious to effect some change by supporting their non- PNM candidates, be it COP or UNC-A.
This could bring about some very interesting results. I do hope the voter turn out is indeed very high, as the greater the interest of the voting public, the greater the challenge to the PNM this time, along with "uncertainty". The closer the call, a few votes can and will make a considerable difference to the results.!
The "Express" also has a map of TnT with the respective wards and candidates of the three parties on their front page, along with a "vote count" as they proceed in tallying up the results. I'll keep an eye on it along with other news reports.!
Like you said - maybe there's a hidden surprise in this all.! I certainly hope so!
Goodluck to COP! Trini.t.o.o
I feel I should introduce myself before I reply to anyone's comments. I am a Afo-Trinidadian, but Trinidadian no less. I am currently pursuing my MBA in the US. I return to Trinidad every year. I am 23 years old and reside in Diego Martin. I attended a Catholic run secondary school in "town".
That said, I am here to "defend" the choice of some of the population to vote for the People's National Movement.
Firstly, I cannot see how anybody with a brain or a soul could vote for the UNC. No matter how you slice it. Corruption and lies are corruption and lies. Mr Warner is the biggest thief in Trinidad history. You have a man who would not even sit down with the Trinidad footballers. What would he do to teachers or nurses if he believes they are "too greedy". ( More to come)
"If better cant be done...let worse continue"
Now I will address the COP. The party was formed with the right mind set but with the wrong players. How could you tell me the the COP is a viable option when these people are either rejects of the UNC or from the Citizen's Alliance. You tell me that Mr. Dookeran and Mr. Singh have intergrity when they were with Mr. Panday for so many years? "If better cant be done...let worse continue"
Lastly, yes I am black, and yes I will vote for PNM. The young east indian Trinidadians would vote for the COP because they are trying to be "white". The older ones will stay wiht the UNC. That is how Trinidadians are. Talk done.
Do not sell me no crap about unity. I am serious. I am not stupid. Unity? Steups
They say unite to defeat the PNM. OK. So I am suppose to believe that the PNM is some evil where people must put aside all differnces to defeat them? Be real. Once you start an organization with that goal. It is going to fail. Like an business, the goals must be clearly defined. so.........................
"If better cant be done...let worse continue"
Trinidadians vote because of race . Talk done. Few are exceptions to the rule.
Yes I said it. The COP was an option to the Trinidad white and the young east indians followed that trend. I am not ashamed. I am truthfully. I have friends of all races and I have spoken to them. No other party was an option so.........
"If better cant be done...let worse continue"
I see some posters refer to rising prices. It is called inflation and it happens all over the world
I see people refer to the crime.. Yes, it happens here in the US too.
I am not ignorant so I look forward to good converstion on this website.
We stepping up.
Black_College, there has been much already said and debated out here. I trust you have reviewed much of what has been said.
I certainly would not like to repeat much of what Trini.t.o.o, Jumbie, TriniCan, and many others have pulled together quite coherently.
I don't think that "If better can't be done..let worse continue" is a principle I subscribe to or am prepared to debate. So, I am unable to debate from that point of view.
I don't believe any of us out here have stated that COP is whiter than white. This site is not a COP support site - just to be clear. Individuals here support whosoever they please.
One of the problems we have encountered in many of the debates out here is 'denial'. If someone states that PNM has been responsible for discriminatory acts, another may simply choose to deny that, or to argue that UNC was no better. Those arguments are never ending.
I believe that many of us out here were really trying to decide what to do in a very bad situation. If one is faced with a choice of two devils and a deep blue sea, which direction will one go? That is the way I saw it.
Another problem encountered out here is the 'appeal to principles of rationality'. In reality 'rationality' is not foundation stone for voter decision making. The research evidence I pointed to in one of the comments suggests that people may well make irrational decisions in elections. Some may reason that this or that party is the best based on their individual assessment of party performance parameters etc. But others may say 'choomat wid dat' I voting for who go 'love meh up'. Well as irrational as the latter may seem to many, that kind of thinking does operate for voters.
So it is rather an armchair affair to analyse party performance against certain agreed measures. I say so because even if theortically Party X came out as being tops - by some scientific analysis that is independent of you or I - we know that large numbers of people will still make their own rational or irrational decisions. And that my friend is what this last election was about.
There is one golden rule in all human 'operations' - that the best indicator of future behaviour or performance is past behaviour or performance. It is good in business and in real life - and I'm not saying it is 100% perfect.
So it is quite right to infer that none of the three parties might have done a brilliant job. Now that the election is over the debates may continue as to who would have done he least damange - or the least worst job of running the country.
In the short term I believe based on the evidence I have seen that a PNM leadership will bring this nation close to Cuba, Haiti or Zimbabwe, and not nearer to Vision 2020. I say that because of the state of dilapidated justice, respect for the rule of law, disrespect of the Consitutional principles, bungling of the economy etc etc - look I really don't want to repeat all that Trini.t.o.o et al have outlined so clearly.
Apply your Business skills to the government. If you liken the previous PNM government to a board of some large company, how would you assess performance? How would you predict future performance? How would you decide whether to invest your money or efforts? Be it a government or a business the principles are pretty much the same, I suggest. Over to you.
I'm just going to be very brief as I am short on time, but one quick question - with whose money? Yours? or your inheritances?
I am referring to your principle of "If better can't be done, let worse continue!" Coming from an MBA? Which publicly traded corporation would let you get away with that "dumb statement"as an "excuse" for non-performance? That is jail time, and I am not talking about firing yet, straight jail time, period!
That is a principle for jail in the very U.S.A where you are studying for an MBA? And you would advocate to have us accept that as your principle for continuation of waste of public, read "taxpayers monies ad infinitum", you would recommend "if better can't be done, let worse continue?"
If you plan to do so with your own monies or that which you inherit, then go knock yourself out, but not with mines or that which rightfully belong to the taxpayers of the country.Not a chance.!
I am also surprised, given the way you feel about the PNM government, that you would "choose" to educate yourself in the U.S.A when your government has "free tertiary" education available and "their own University in Trinidad", why discriminate? Or is it a "superior" education abroad in the U.S?
At 23 years what you are now reading up on as an MBA, and if you plan to spend "people's monies" with your principle you espoused, then also plan to spend a "long time in jail", ask Martha Stewart, Conrad Black(Lord Black of Cross Harbour), the CEO of Enron, CEO of Bre-X etc... and the list goes on and on....right in the U.S.A!
It is for these very same reasons, that the TnT government is blessed with historic non-performance and that's steeped in their over forty years at the helm of the country and its broke and penny-less, all the while boasting that its the richest of the carribean countries, what do they really have to show for it? Show me the money? Where? They have more poor and destitute people and crime than most third world countries today, why? If better can't be done, let worse continue? What a load of Horse Feathers?
In the U.S where you are, there is always the hue and cry that "crime is associated with poverty" as the very mantra to get money tossed their way as a resolve to crime as a social problem. Well, crime is the hallmark of TnT, especially under the PNM regime, and if you're from Diego Martin, then you should know more about it than me, how many times did you go out liming in the night with your friends? Afraid to get shot?
So I don't have to defend anything, but with the thinking that you have already displayed in the short intro above, good luck to the corporation or government that hires you with your MBA and your principle "If better can't be done, let worse continue"!
Good luck in your MBA studies too, you'll need it.... but then you could always "get in on the PNM government in TnT", cause thats exactly what they have practiced over the past forty years,they're extremely good at it, and they'll "make you feel right at home!", (if better can't be done,let worse continue! and that it will)! Unfortunately! Bad Karma for the People and the Nation!
Trini.t.o.o.
I sorry, I did not mean white party. What I was trying to say is that a majority of the Trinidad " white" population is considered to be swing voters. There daily life is not really affect by who governs the country. They will vote for a candidate or party that they can relate to.The COP gave the "white" electorate that option. The COP had that feeling, that vibe. But you could only fool some people. Mr warner has learned that.
You claim the integrity of Mr Dookeran? He was in the UNC untill they forced him out. You had Rocky Garcia. What does this man know about anything? Has anybody here ever spoken to him? He is only put there for his color.
Mr Yetming is a respectable person and very intelligent. Anand ramlogan, Nicole Dyer, Selby Wilson, Joe Pires. The COP had the elements which should have appealed to the middle class and the educated voter. I liked that about there slate of candidates.
Now the idea on which which COP was started was a good one. They just had the wrong player.You want to give people a choice?
Ok.
But when you add to that Ganga Singh and Manohar Ramsaran and to some extent Roy Augustus, one time you bring that negative light to the party. You cannot tell me that these people are going to bring something "new". Where was this when they were in the UNC.
Two devils and the deep blue sea. I undertand. But people see and weigh different factors when considering who are the devils. I did not even view the UNC as an option. So we have the PNM and the COP.
I believe you are right. In the business world the the board, (PNM) would have been fired. But that is where your earlier statement comes in.
There is one golden rule in all human 'operations' - that the best indicator of future behaviour or performance is past behaviour or performance. It is good in business and in real life - and I'm not saying it is 100% perfect.
Am I to fire my board for persons who I believe would not do as good as a job. How has the COP members performed in Parliment when they were with the UNC. Did they act as proper checks and balances to the government or were they just opposing for opposition sake. Did they support things to better the country or were they afriad of making the government look good. Where were the other candidates before the election was annonced. You cannot ask the electorate to support you because you want "ah chance". You have to tell them why. I read the manifestos. I listened to the rallies. If you gave me no option then. Others may not like the statement but.....If better cant be done... let worse continue.
Trini.t.o.o
So what do you suggest? No government? If you are expecting a loss in a business, don't you make try to make it as minimal as possible? That is why I would have voted for the PNM if I was in Trinidad.
I do not feel anyway about the PNM government. To me, it is not a love for the PNM or a choice but rather a lack there of. If you give me no option.
When the UNC got into power the first time, the money that they spent, where did it come from? Not the previous NAR and PNM administrations? I do not agree with all things Mr. Manning does, but I do believe that he is the least of 3 evils. I AM A REALIST. How can I vote for COP when they may turn around and give Mr Warner and Mr Panday the power to control the government.
You could be upset about COP not forming the opposition but that is it.
I chose to explore education in the US. I did not like UWI for reasons that would be addressed in a later reply.
I got a scholarship so I took. I have another now to do my M.B.A so I stayed.
Crime is a separate issue that I also want to respond to later. Yes I have friends who are afraid to go out at night. That would not change for the next 10 years. No program put into place now will reduce crime. It would only be window dressing. It is the UNC governemnt with Mr. Singh and others with removed some of the trade programs. It was under the UNC regime that John D was not upkept. Count 10 years on to today. Trinidad is experiencing a problem that it never had to deal with before. The deportation of criminals back from the US. Jamaica is still going through that problem.
I could always separate what I think about my politics to what I do i the classroom or at a internship. I will continue to say " IF better cant be done.. let worse continue" Because I am brave enough to say it. You may not say it, but you support it in your everyday life and in your businesses. Think about it.
I here for good so don't think you're going to get rid of me easily. I am going to agree with some points but I may disagree with others. I do not want to be labelled as "a PNM" but I really believe that in this election pass, that was the only choice.
PS: I may have left out some points and replies to some points made. Sorry I will try to address them l
Am I to fire my board for persons who I believe would not do as good as a job.
It is/was not your gift or mine to do so. However, a board and perhaps it's Chief Executive that has bungled investors funds in the way the PNM has (in totality) should get the chop - the whole board.
Furthermore the more analogous situation is not you firing anyone; it is you as a shareholder (analogous to voter) acting in a responsible way. If you are happy to watch on with your principle of 'If better can't be done less worse continue' well then you vote for them to stay and continue with their bungling - which it seems is your argument.
How has the COP members performed in Parliment when they were with the UNC. Did they act as proper checks and balances to the government or were they just opposing for opposition sake.
No party is filled with perfect performers - as is the case for every board in every company. In assessing performance or likely future performance, you look at the whole package. There are times when a whole board has to get the sack - and in the last election the PNM 'board' should have got it. However, it appears from the stats that Trini.t.o.o has evidenced that your very principle of 'If better can't be done let worse continue' was the apathetic operating principle that allowed that bungling board to continue on its rampage.
'Shareholders' had an opportunity to change the whole 'board' but instead they behaved in an apathetic, confused, selfish, short-sighted way and apparently allowed themselves to divided by matters of race and tribal loyalties. They will suffer along with innocents, the fruits of their conduct. Karma - as was pointed out.
You cannot ask the electorate to support you because you want "ah chance". You have to tell them why.
Except if yuh name is Basdeo Panday. He told them why and he got his chance, along with his daughter - and nameless others we may consider slime and scumbags (we can't name due to fear of an action in defamation).
So now we are left with a bungling 'board' balanced by a corrupt regime (opposition) filled with scumbags and dimwits. Ain't that a recipe for disaster? If not I don't know what is.
I read the manifestos. I listened to the rallies. If you gave me no option then. Others may not like the statement but.....If better cant be done... let worse continue.
Well I said I was unable to debate anything based on that principle. Please apply it in your business studies and in your real business ventures in the future.
I am a relatively new member to this website and I have just perused the comments on this page. Though the dust has probably already settled for most of these arguments, I feel compelled to make a contribution in light of some of the senseless dotishness I have read.
I find, most disturbing, the allegation made by one writer that young Indo-Trinidadians voted for the COP in the hopes that it would make them whiter. I am a young Trinidadian of East-Indian descent who voted for the COP in the recently concluded general elections. I analysed my choices and ascertained that, based on ability and integrity, the COP was the best party; the one most likely to rescue us from the impending economic Armageddon and the least corruptible party of the three.
Racial bias did not corrupt my thought processes as you allege though I am curious as to why you would make this statement. Perhaps, you are a bitter bigot who is incapable of seeing the larger picture. The larger picture: Crime is present in all parts of the world but the crime situation in Trinidad is horrible, as compared to that of the US and other developed nations; 30 murders per 100,000 per year for the past 3 years. This is 10 times the average of most developed first world nations. Consider this in addition to the following trend:
Year Number of murders
2000 120
2001 151
2002 172
2003 269
2004 261
2005 386
2006 371
2007 395 (You get the impression that worse is continuing)
It is evident, from the figures, that there was no steady increase in murders. Instead, the number seems to hit a new plateau every 2-3 years starting from 2002, the year the PNM won the elections. In a sense, the murders seem to be STEPPING UP with the PNM. This indicates that the PNM government is affording the criminal-minded citizens a degree of comfort to continue their trade to the extent that they can, quite literally, get away with murder. In light of your other narrow minded suggestions, your assertion of non-ignorance is invalidated. The rest of your analysis has more holes in it than a box of cheerios.
As part of the post election analysis I have some fair-minded questions to ask. Tell me what you all think.
Mr. Panday throughout his campaign have constantly preached from the platform that COP and PNM was being funded by the drug mafia in collusion to de-rail the UNC's effort and steal its base as a best case scenario or divide it at least. Is it a case where Mr. Panday is making a phantom enemy as he's known to do sometimes? Or is it a case where he and his party leaders know something these high profile ppl do know but don't share with we 'small ppl'?
If one was to think about it, it's not a far-fetch idea. PNM was weak and in real danger of losing the election. Did they perhaps funded the COP and sent in some their own troups to mingle with COP 'crowd' to give an idea of support of crowd on the one hand and motivate the leadership of COP to keep the momentum going on the other. In other words did the PNM realise they were in trouble then adopted a divide and rule tactic with anti-PNM sentiments to ensure their survival? That being the case did the UNC now have to resort to visible crowd support (large crowd) in order show the ppl that all was together and so ensure drift was limited? But if we consider this then we must also ask if the PNM found it easy to divide the anti-PNM sentiments because of Panday himself since among the anti-PNM sentiments there were anti-Panday sentiments even among the UNC? In other words did the PNM use Panday against Panday?
There was certainly a lot of backroom play in this election and lots of strategies. One thing for sure I know poor, common citizens were used and abused all around by all the parties in the clash of 3 parties. We just went at each other while these guys at the top moved and counter moved. We were essentially pawns or chest pieces in their big election game. There is certainly a lot of sour taste in this election.
Swingvote, a quick look at the elections results on the "Express" by wards, does not support the argument that there was some kind of collusion by COP and PNM to split votes, or funded by Mafia or PNM or whatever Panday may have alluded to in his remarks.
If you take a look at the predominantly PNM strongholds, especially St.George and St Patrick, you will notice that COP got a lot more votes than UNC, and in fact was more of a threat to the PNM itself, and the UNC votes in those areas were minimal and of no consequence. So to answer your question, why would PNM set up COP to steal the PNM votes and help defeat the PNM, since UNC-A was not a threat in any of those seats?
Panday has been in the game a long time, including the "blame game" and he is used to building "straw monsters" as part of his political strategy, a bit of fear mongering to the public. This time he was very frantic as you can tell from his implied threats in his speeches, as well as beseeching at other times to put him back for glory for the last time, a sign of real desperation on his part, in my view.!
But in my brief look at the results, I saw no signs of, nor does it make any sense for the PNM to self destruct themselves, in a way the UNC did to themselves through Panday's efforts.
Take a close look at the results yourself, ward by ward, and you'll see what I am talking about.! Pure fallacy, maybe something in the cigarette he smokes or the water he drinks?Who knows?
Hopes this helps!
Goodluck! Trini.t.o.o
Fair answer.
But we are looking at the anti-PNM votes. Not all anti-PNM votes are pro-UNC votes in the main because of Panday. There are a lot of anti-PNM votes that are also anti-Panday votes even within the UNC which would find COP more appealing.
It is also a given that the majority of the country even PNM supporters who were against the Manning led PNM as can be seen in those who did not vote for them or did not vote at all. The PNM is a minority government.
The PNM may have gambled on Panday not giving up control of the UNC which is a good gamble because history has shown that he does that without miss. As such supporting COP - funding them and so on, would fuel the divide and further PNM cause.
While UNC may not have much appeal in the east-west corridor a re-configured opposition with the Dookeran/COP factor and better campaign strategy rather than the divided, bitter in-fighting we witnessed which beyond doubt was aided by the PNM, may have won over support that historically UNC is unable to attract. Recall also there was a push factor involve because of the Manning led PNM and the problems it brought the country in the last 6 years. Such a re-configuration, marketed properly may have also appealed to the in-decisive and apathetic voters.
In the argument we must also take into consideration that the PNM was in power with access to the largesse of state and therefore could minimise fall-out from its core grassroot base but not so much the middle class base. This middle class base we saw ended up in COP. Further there was a large population of young voters which is easy to woo and win over to your cause. Only the more experience voter who more in tune with the polictics would go against PNM firmly.
The bottom line is that Panday was the ultimate enemy of and deterrent to a unified opposition. He was also the best friend and strategy of the PNM. I note also that the COP may not have been an all too willing or knowing participant. Certainly from their reactions of the results they appeared not too prepared about what they saw.
I don't think it's not too far-fetched a conspiracy and we know all too well that the PNM is capable of such things. After all they have been doing this for 51 years.
Conspiracy theories are what Trinbagonians love. From my experience they seem to spend hours and hours saying t'ing like:
Outside the shop at 10:00AM on a Sunday morning;
A: "Aye boy, yuh hear so and so?"
B: "Nah boy, he eh go do dat because so and so?"
A: "But so and so who working inside dee Ministry say so, choo choo talk!"
B:"Eh heh, well how come such and such happen den?"
....next thing dey check dee time.
A: Aye boy, look ah eh realise it so late nuh. Ah should a start cookin' a'ready. [Now 14:00]. Laterz...pardnerz! We go pick it up nex' time.
Conspiracy theories consume time but hardly ever get anywhere. It is a dey say and dem say kind of talk - usually devoid of hard evidence, that is neither verifiable nor reliable.
In reality the engineers of such plots will have had to be political geniuses to know it would work. I'm with Trini.t.o.o on this one. Dey eh so bright boy!
Panday is good at 'rum shop' talk. In fact they way he presents on TV reminds me of dem ol' Indian wid dey grey hair and pack of Broadway dog - who just fire a few and settled into talking pure garbage to pass dee time.
Panday is a master of ol' talk. Entertaining - but going nowhere fast.
MBA, you asked the question, if "having no government" was the option! My answer is no, the need for a government is always there. But "doing nothing" is not an option. In fact to accept "doing nothing" and "allowing worse to continue" promotes and supports complacency, and send out the wrong signal that its ok to continue on the same pathway, that "status quo" is no problem, its alright!
Well "Status Quo" is not alright! Thats "doing nothing" !
If you also take a look at the best indicator of past performance you mentioned, it is very predictable what the future results were going to be, by "doing nothing", which as I said before "is not an option"!. (You should also read TriniCan's comment of "if you always do what you always did.....!", he highlights a potent indicator of future results...!)
If you were a pilot flying a plane in a blizzard, or a captain of a ship in a storm or hurricane, or a General leading an army on the battlefield, or the lead surgeon operating on a heart patient on the operating table, or a CEO in charge of operations of a large company, or the elected Prime Minister of a country, when serious crises occur or are happening under your watch or control, "doing nothing is not an option".
If "status quo" is not good enough, then why accept it just to avoid change?!
So to let worse continue unchallenged, is an abdication of your responsibility, and you either "self acknowledge you are incapable of carrying out the tasks at hand" and remove yourself, or "you are removed by those that can and have the power to do so"!
That way, someone else may be able to do something different, anything different to save the day, but not "let worse continue"!
"Doing nothing is not an option"! Status Quo is not an option!
So MBA, the elections have come and gone, and the results are now open secret, and the Prime Minister has listed out the "Priorities of his administration" all of which are a re-hash of old existing priorities of the last government which was his, or better yet, all of which were left unattended and are in fact in worse shape than when he got them over six years ago.
The same numerous and too many to name ills and cancer eating away and affecting the nation today as it did and have increased over the many many years of the past!
..Yet, somehow he expects the people to believe that they will all be addressed and resolved as a "priority" in the next five years.
These are the same priorities that have been there for the last forty plus years of PNM rule, (check the historical records)and will be there for the next forty years if not worse by then...remember history repeats itself? or your famous "best indicator line"?... something about the past is an indicator for the future..? you said it, no?
Somehow the word "priority" has taken on a very new meaning, because everything is a "priority" and all of these "priorities" just keep piling up one on top of the other but never seem to get attended to or fixed. Check it yourself.!
One more thing, I don't get into "name calling", out of respect for all individuals. If I do mention names occasionally, it is because they are on public record, they are facts, not gossip, not speculation, but just facts.! I deal with "issues" and it is my preference to keep it that way! Anything else, mud-slinging, name-calling etc, I would promptly decline.!
So I hope I have answered you as best as I can, so "if better can't be done, let worse continue" is the same in my mind as "doing nothing", but "doing nothing for me is not an option",!
As I said before, there was "an option" available, COP was an option, but being "closed minded" one becomes "blind to everything", and can only see whats in their own mind, nothing else, and as such has shut out any options that were available, not "the very best option at that, but an option nevertheless."!
Anyway, the people have made their choice and the PNM is here to stay, and I say good luck to them, the people have chosen, and the people will have to live with it, like "Trinis" say, "make do" but just don't complain ...cause "you settled for make do"..!
...if better can't be done, let worse continue.. "and how well you said it too MBA?", because you and I know just what will happen...just like you so eloquently put it!
But what a "principle" to follow? Strange!
good luck.Trini.t.o.o
Captain, the stats has since been updated and the final stats, albeit "unofficial" as published are:
Total votes cast - 653,882 out of EBC voters list of 990,352
or: 65.79% voted from voter's list.
Rejected votes: 2,306 : Total valid votes = 651,576
PNM = 299,813 UNC-A = 194,425 COP = 148,041
PNM got 46% of votes, UNC-A got 29.8% and COP got 22.7%
In reality and in reverse, 54% of the voters did not support PNM, 70% did not support UNC-A and 77% did not support COP.
It is interesting to review the numbers, as the PNM got a "minority" government as a result. But more interesting, is that UNC-A who has been around for so long, only got 7% more support that COP who is only a year old party.
I think that speaks well for COP, for the COP candidates, and for the future of the party, after all 148,000 people saw the vision and the direction of the new politics, and were all for it, despite not getting a seat.
The so called final election analysis from the "Pundits" comes out next Monday, so I will wait before my further comment. Having said that, I am glad that Dookeran and the COP has decided to keep the party alive and going forward, as I think there's a great future for COP on the political scene in TnT yet.
The earlier preliminary stats were certainly misleading, but the updates are fairly accurate at this time.
goodluck! Trini.t.o.o.
I am just trying to show a different point of view.
People have tunnel vision.
When you look at the COP and this "new politics" that is referd to. Where was this "new politics" all the time. Where was it when they were in the UNC. To his credit, even if it was because of a power struggle, the AG under the UNC governement exposed the government's short comings i.e corruption. When he was expelled from the party along with others, why didnt the current COP members leave also. That is the reason it would be hard for me, and others to accept that these people have just turn over a new leaf all of a sudden.
This "new politics" preach is going down the same road as Mr. Panday's Unity calls; for convenience. I spoke to a trini professor at U Conn. A young man and he told me that he was planning to go home and start a new party and change the way politics and politicians act. That is "new politics". Not old politicians with new tricks and new calls to get votes.
I agree with you black college on the count that COP did not do enough to convince ppl that there was new politics. That's why I am still of the point of view that their campaign was poor on many counts least of all was this. 148,000 people saw where they was coming from but it will take more to convince others of this 'vision'.
Let's also agree that what the UNC and PNM do not embrace everyone in our multi-ethnic society. These parties may pay it lip service but they don't mean it. When it comes to elections they both play the race card to get their support going. And we as a people should not have to settle for 'the least of all evils' especially with an issue as important as this.
Although I do not wish to make excuses for the COP, Mr. Dookeran in particular was said to be trying to shape the image of the UNC whilst there to be all-inclusive. How true that is I don't know. But it was compelling enough to make him form the COP to give that conviction life. While he started off good he included some players that to me had too much baggages and old grouse. I will not call names.
What is blatant to see here is that no one party could represent everyone's interest. Although at elections they fight like dinosaurs trampling the masses in their wake, eventually one emerge the winner and the many other citizens not belonging to that group feel dis-enfranchise. I do not agree with sentiments expressed somewhat by Clevon Raphael in the Trinidad Guardian of November 09, 2007, that we should just be accepting that this is the process and we need to take it. It doesn't have to be and those whom we elect is duty bound to bring into the cirlce of governance those interests from large segments of the population and not only theirs which they won by a system not truly representative of all the population. It have been proven over decades that a party in power favour their own in the main. It has also been proven over decades that astute doctoring of the geographical boundaries and societal mix (through housing programs etc) could bring you electoral victory.
So instead of arguing or making a case for party politics or the west minister system we seriously need to begin discussions on proportional representation as the way forward for this plural society of ours. I have witnessed over the last 3 to 4 elections that emotions are becoming fierce and the society is becoming torn apart even within households. This election saw an incredible amount of thuggery, vandalism and there was even murder. A COP candidate (a possible member of parliament) nearly lost his life. Election tensions are therefore ripping into the heart of our society. And we need to change the way in which we are govern else the decay will continue. Make no bones about it, the next 5 years will be a tempest. All the signs are there. The society is speaking out and ppl are becoming frustrated.
So the sooner these so-called politicians open up their eyes and stop this thing about they alone know what's best for our society anyone of them who may be in power(PNM, UNC or COP) could find themselves dealing with serious civil upheavel. All the signs are there. Those who have eyes to see will see and those who have ears to hear will hear.
The latest figures modify my viewpoint but only slightly from what I said in 'Catastrophic'. What it means is that 30% of those who were eligible to vote determined the direction of the whole country.
I'm with 'Swing Vote' on this. And I repeat my concerns.
Who are these people? What is there level of intelligence? They could be blind and stupid people for all I know.
And to add to the crap COP who obtained more votes over UNC-A did not get a single seat.
This is a monumental and catastrophic absurdity.
Anyone willing to bet on the PNM introducing proportional representation?
No Mr. Manning has long expressed resolve that he (the so-called God's chosen one) does not think proportional respresentation is the way to go for our country. His recent secret draft constitution shows he is bent on being lord and king over everyone through executive presidency. His recent crowning at Woodford Square in front of his loyal subjects shows where his mind is at. PNM is about winner takes all and who vex lost. Their group is bent on dominating all other groups in the country....hence their claim of this is 'PNM country'. They believe they have been around long enough to own this title and 'crown'. Their spin doctors would confuse the masses to claim otherwise.
I know your first question is rhetorical but I also know from the sampling of PNM people/announcers/hosts on the radio stations (who are openly PNM) I discern tones of racism against indians. These tones are well couched. Sometimes there are openly racist sentiments. They push a 'black agenda' which goes beyond mere conscientousness of one's heritage/history. It certainly strikes me as one using one's heritage to push a racist agenda of dominance. And of course, they continue to maintain that PNM is the best thing after slice bread and that everyone supports them....there's only the 'recalcitrant minority'.
My humble point of view is that this is just as bad as what they accuse other parties/ppl of. And these things carry us nowhere fast. It's a backward step.
"Catastrophic & Absurd" is so correct, but its hard to explain, Captain, as to what really happened here, especially since this opportunity only comes around every five years or so, and this time, the people had so many issues of great concern, and to which answers were "required", and you have a "no show" or absent of 337,000 or 34% of the eligible voters?
And to follow through on your questions, 30% of the people who voted PNM (299,813) are those who decides the future of our country? Because the other 342,466 or 35% voted for UNC-A & COP combined.!
It baffles me to no end, that so many people are out of the country? Or were scared away or afraid or intimidated to go out and vote? Or are "phantom voters" (non-existent or dead?) on EBC eligible voters list"? Very strange!
The deed is done and darkness falls as swiftly....but I am sure more will reveal itself as we go forward, not that there is much that can be done about after the fact, but there's always more to come...! After all this is "trickidad" we're talking bout!
On yesterday's letters, someone wrote in saying that on Sunday late evening, a UNC-A car with a mike passed through St.Augustine telling the people that COP had made an accomodation agreement with UNC-A and so there was no need to vote COP as a result of that agreement. The person also wrote that a "lot of her friends" in the village in talking to them also did not vote COP for the same reasons" or just got turned off UNC-A and did not vote at all! Only after the elections on Monday, they realized that it was all false propaganda by UNC-A. This is only one instance so far, so keep that in mind!
So, there are many things which are possible for the "missing voters" which I hope will reveal itself in due time, not that it will make one iota of difference now, the people will have to live with the "cat in bag" they bought, or "pig in a poke" whichever!.
I still think its catastrophic & absurd though, you are correct!
Goodluck! Trini.t.o.o.
"...someone wrote in saying that on Sunday late evening, a UNC-A car with a mike passed through St.Augustine telling the people that COP had made an accomodation agreement with UNC-A and so there was no need to vote COP as a result of that agreement. The person also wrote that a "lot of her friends" in the village in talking to them also did not vote COP for the same reasons" or just got turned off UNC-A and did not vote at all!"
Boy yuh had me in stitches, even if not intended. Deeze blasted people so duncey I am speechless.
Ah mean dey deserve all dey get. Look intelligence has survival value - yes?
I don't know if you know but if you study the dynamics of Jamaica and Guyana you will see exactly where T&T is heading. Dee rich from deeze two countries living in Miami, Cyanada (Canada eeef yuh English), New York, Atlanta etc.
An' whey yuh t'ink dee intelligent rich in T&T living mos' ah dee time, boy? Allyuh eh see big Carnaval fete in Miami, New York and England. Who yuh t'ink in dem fetes? Yuh t'ink is Duncey Joe who doing he CEPEP? Look nah man! I's all who made it reasonably well in a foreign land.
So get humped by Manning et al or get exported and enjoy yuhself dee choice is fuh allyuh now. Ah hear some crapeaud bawling outside - ah going an check eef dey smokin'. Laterz. :) :)
IF BETTER CAN'T BE DONE, LET WORSE CONTINUE?...Black_College - MBA?
"More police, more patrols
By RHONDOR DOWLAT Wednesday, September 19 2007 (Newsday)
UNTIL RECENTLY, a dramatic upsurge in violent crimes, including murders, shootings and armed robberies, had residents of Diego Martin and neighbouring communities afraid to even venture out of their homes. "!
MBA, I just thought I would let you know since you gone silent lately, to bring you up to date "in yuh own neighbourhood" (the hood) but then you could afford to do so because you get your scholarship in the U.S.of A and it kinda safe out there, far from the "killing fields" of Diego Martin, where "worse is now continuing..." like the very plague itself has descended on the people as a sign of things yet to come....for their travesty...their chupidness...for their hard headedness...their blind loyalty to a slave master...yet...!
...but then I suspect when you finish your studies, which will be like in next millenium or two, you ain't going back to Diego Martin, in fact I would be surprised if you go back to good ole Trinidad at all, since you would be running from "worse", the killing fields of Diego Martin right?...where worse is continuing...just like you wrote...!
...as Manning said, the sugar cane industry reminds him of "being slaves", well truth is, he does not want anything to remind us that "we are still slaves" for him that is, and he likes to keep it that way....! mansion and all...!
...quite frankly, the way you think, he's right, you have not as yet achieved mental freedom, you are still slave to a concept re-inforced by him and this time around, just like last time around, we'll all pay for it collectively, because racism and tribalism is kept alive and well and serves his purpose, through the voices and visions of people like yourself....it does not matter ...hell or high water, "sun and rain beating on you but you can't get away poh fella" !
Anyway, the battered wife syndrome exists and is also a reality, and somehow you all expected to do the same thing over and over again but somehow get different results...but still adverse to change...!
...but there were many writings on this site, Captain Walker, Jumbie, TriniCan and others including myself, pointing out the pitfalls, the dangers, the preview of coming events down the road, but you just like your counterpart Scholar et al, are all mired in muck up to your wazoos and can't see the forest for the trees!
...but five years from now...for those who survive the wrath of the criminals and Manning, Joseph and Paul et al, and their dumbass Zimbabwe type government, but then you won't be there, cause you ent going back, right?! We'll see?
Goodluck! Trini.t.o.o
As the Spanish King told Chavez, you and your fellow COP voters have no right to condems whats happening, you have no right to criticise MBA.
You voted for this you idiots! Everybody with a brain in this country knew the COP could not win a seat EXCEPT cop supporters. PNM people knew it, UNC people knew it. And you all call yourself intellectuals. You are are just a bunch of dumbass who feel you could think and analyse, but you all cant analyse boo!
You all compalining about crime etc, what gall you foolish people.
I dont even know why I bother to respond to you inane ramblings which you all write to feed each others ego to make yourselves feel good about yourselves knowing deep down what asses you were. Take your principles and integrity to the grocery nah, you bunch of uncaring fools.
All of you working for 10 times minimum wage, but never stopped to think about the hundreds of thousands who do. All you cared about was your so called hatred for panday. The very man who struggled all his life to ensure people like YOU ALL have the right to write this crap and live the way you do.
I should do like MBA and ignore all of your crap!
You all feel you pampering to Anand and making him feel good. I sure he feeling like a bigger ass than all of you. Ent Anand?
KBRMEX
YOU HAVE EVERY GOOD REASON TO CALL YOURSELF "SCHOLAR".....BECAUSE IF YOU DIDN'T...NOBODY ELSE WOULD CALL YOU THAT...!!
As the Spanish King told Chavez, you and your fellow COP voters have no right to condems whats happening, you have no right to criticise MBA.
All of you working for 10 times minimum wage, but never stopped to think about the hundreds of thousands who do. All you cared about was your so called hatred for panday. The very man who struggled all his life to ensure people like YOU ALL have the right to write this crap and live the way you do.
Enlighten...us the dumb-assES...who did not vote for the UNC...EXACTLY...WHAT..??...did PANDAY...ACTUALLY DO..!!...to claim...that he has been SUFFERING for the supporters of the UNC....!!
Is it that he went to Jail for them...or sent his Daughters for scholarships...in England...to live in POSH apparments...etc...with MILLIONS of DONATED...dollars...in the BANK...that he didn't even know...he Had...!!
Or is it that he SUFFERED for Sugar workers...while he was on vacation in London...while..settlement for sugar workers were ongoing...
He had NOTHING to say....!!...NOTHING..absolutely NOTHING.....!!
Maybe he was suffering so much...that he was at a loss for words...and needed to rest in London...with his MILLIONS...!!
You voted for a man...who's final speech before the Elections...was......VOTE FUH ME NAH...OH GOD...VOTE FUH ME NAH...AH TRYING ALL MIH LIFE...AN...AH GUH DED JUS NOW...SO VOTE FUH ME NAH....PLEASE...!!
HE WORST THAN THE NUTS MAN SELLING BY THE GRAND BAZAR LIGHTS...ON A FRIDAY....!!
And YOU SCHOLARS....Supported HIM......YOU HAVE TO BE VERY BRIGHT TO DO THAT...!!
AH SURE THAT WILL BUY MILK...IN THE GROCERY...AND IT PAY FOR YOUR EDUCATION TOO..!!
YOU MUST BE THANKFUL FOR ERIC...HE BUILT SCHOOLS...TO EDUCATE YOU TOO..!!
SO NEXT TIME YOU SHOULD VOTE PNM...!!...TO THANK THEM FOR THAT...SINCE YOU DON'T WANT TO SUPPORT THE COP...!!
This was the 3rd time in the History of T&T,...that we were given,,,"A CHANCE"...to move away from the TRIBAL VOTING...and vote for Issues...instead...of Mud-Slinging....and NameCalling...Politics...!!
But most of you all...BLINDED...by RACE...when it comes to Elections...!!....INDIAN...have to vote UNC...and African...have to vote PNM....!!
KBRMEX...
KBRMEX
Scholar, you must have a very very short memory, cause somewhere earlier I wrote that "I don't hate people, or anyone for that matter, but I do hate what people do, and especially when they do bad things to other people.!"
...I know you have a very short memory, (like chicken eating rice on the road) " but I also hate to repeat myself.!"
...You see there is no reason for me to hate Panday, in fact I even think by now he would come around to hate himself most, if he takes the time to look himself in the mirror.But that's his problem, not mine, cause I don't have time in my life set aside for people like him, as there are others in the world who needs my attention too. ok?
...he can fluff his own ego, and you can help him along as you have been doing so well.!
...another thing, I don't owe Panday anything, nada, nothing, zero, in fact its the other way around. In addition, he has done nothing for me, and the freedom I hold, enjoy and cherish is definitely not due to him, but solely to myself and my parentage!
...It may be true that he still holds all of you in captivity either to his party or his idealogy or himself, and "your freedom" rests with him, but you will have to make your own choices, "or do you have to ask him for permission to do so first?". Like I also said the last time, the chain and shackles may have been removed but the remnants and marks of it are still on you, and more importantly, "still shackled in your mind." !
...slavery is a bad word in Trinidad now, just ask Panday and Manning, the two last reminders of the days of slave-masters, cause their preachings and practice reeks of it in this day and age.! But freedom comes at a price, and again you have to make that choice, or do you have to ask Panday for permission to do so first?
...like dey say..you have to creep before you walk scholar, and right now you still creeping, cause right now seems like what you saying Panday won't let you walk!.
...so again I say you have to make that choice, get off your hinies and walk, or do you have to ask for permission first?
...if not, you always going to be "down, boy, down...good dogie!" now stay...!
goodluck.Trini.t.o.o
As predicted - he's done his spit and lick antics again - and behaving like a tanty-man again.
Ah mean has Scholar anything intelligent to contribute.
Now he blaming we for complaining about crime. So like he eh complaining about it. Ah mean to say eef yuh vote fuh scumbags and thieves yuh ha' tuh bat in yuh crease right?
Enjoyin' dee crime wave or what, Scholar? Try hard not to respond.
Actually, i am so occupied with work that I am really not up to speed so thank you.
What you did not include in the article is the mirror scenario that would be going on now if COP had won.
You did not include the article that would have said that criminals are now hiding and that the police force has been transformed into psychics with telepathy for crimes.
Let me repeat. PNM is not the best thing since slice bread. BUT COP did not give me reason to 'vote' or support them. So.......( I know i do not have to say it cause you know it by now)
Good to hear from you MBA, and that you are busy with your work, thats good!
However, I do have a problem with speculation, and as you would have noticed, I have reiterated over and over that we must only rely on the facts, not assumptions, as assumptions are the "mother of all foul ups". This notion have been reflected in all my writings to date, even more so "facts and fiction on politics in T'dad."
So what was printed in the news article is what I relied on and presented in my last writings, the facts, just the facts!
You can see how dangerous it would become, if we all "speculated" what may have happened under a variety of different circumstances, all of which are pure fiction, unsupported any any facts at all, so we'll never ever know.!
You make reference as to whether and how the police would have reacted "if the COP had won the elections" and "how they would have behaved". That is pure speculation, no different than if you were King of Siam, or the President of United States. The "what if's" abound in many cases but are far from reality, what is really happening today, under the PNM regime today...thats what matters, thats what counts...thats what the people are facing today...?
Martin has said and its on record that he underestimates the full extent of the "job" he has held for the last six years and does not have any inkling as to how to begin a plan of action to addressing it, but is appointed to stay on again after repeated failures to protect the people.?!
Crime is on the rise as it always has been and again the entire government is at a loss on how to deal with it, after so many years in power? They are all completely "handcuffed" themselves, as useless as a tit on a bull!
It is the reality of what is happening in the country today, just mere weeks after the re-election of the PNM regime. Of course we can all speculate what if's in a number of scenarios, "what if the UNC-A had won", "what if the COP had won", which you were alluding to, and all the journalists and radio "freak talk shows" are all "speculating" along with the "arm chair quarterbacks" all trying to get into the news by "making all kinds of predictions" all based on pure speculation, unsupported by any facts at all. So that's exactly what it is, pure speculation.! Nothing else!
In the meantime, I prefer to stick with the facts, and what is happening today is a burning shame and an indictment of the gross incompetence on the Manning administration to deal with or address the safety and security of the people of TnT which is their right under the constitution. Any CEO behaving and acting in that manner would have been fired forthwith based on such poor performance...but thats another story..!
I don't profess that COP was the best ... but they were an alternative from the UNC-A or the present PNM regime who after all these number of years failed to grapple with the crime problems as are happening under their watch in the past and it still escalating again today...!
So to not embrace change, is to accept the worse as you said, cause we'll of course "never know if it would have actually been better under A COP Regime, but we DO KNOW THAT IT'S GETTING WORSE" under the PNM regime today, as it has always gone downhill from six years ago under the very same regime!
As I said before, I don't deal with "If ah coulda" "woulda" "shoulda"! I deal with the facts...and the facts today is that the people are living in "shock" at whats happening just a few weeks after they voted in the same people, the same government who is inept and completely clueless as to how to deal with the many problems they are faced with, and now they have openly admitted it, but only after the elections?.
But democracy lives on, they, the people have voted, and we must accept the results and the consequences that comes with the "poor choices" we have made and quit complaining, right?... because we like it so, even if it kills us all in the end...we like it so!
Hope we will all be around to see the next time around?...!
Goodluck! Trini.t.o.o
Did you notice that the killings, shootings, choppings, kidnapping and robberies have started all over again, and Police shooting up people in Laventille just like before, and as soon as the election's over, and all the while, Manning and his Cabinet partying it up at the resort in Salybia Hotel Resort? Including Martin Joseph, Minister of Security? Remember, crime is not an issue?
Now the new PNM elect in Laventille saying he going to have investigations into the shootings and killings and get to the "bottom" of it? A full investigation after the people dead?
I don't know if to hang my head in shame or these people just don't get it, "or dey really chupid yes?" same ole same ole and the wakes and funerals start all over again, and the bawling and crying like somebody doing this to them, when they beat up the COP candidate and chase him out of his Laventille Office because they wanted PNM?
They just like it so, and like Manning care; he and Joseph having a good time at the Resort, and when they come back who aint' dead in Laventille all buried and gone, and thats how they intend to get rid of crime!. They good yes, Manning I mean and Joseph too.! They have a plan, just wait and see!
Funny thing though, they still have five more years to go, ouch!
...earth to Joseph, "Next plan Joseph, call a meeting with the "community leaders" at Crowne Plaza Hotel, give them big fat contracts, million dollar kind, and good food and drinks, and they go promise not to shoot up nobody again and to be good boys now. OK? ...and tell them Patrick say hello from the mansion and send his regards too! But don't come by the pool!
Ah real shame boy, ah never thought Trinis so chupid man, real duncey and chupid. Dey fall for it all over again oui?
Doh call Manning and Joseph, dey say crime is not a problem, plus they can't hear you, the waves at Salybia Resort drowning out the the phone calls with noise, they too busy having a good time, tell them in five years from now when they come back looking for votes and the party over.! Call them back den!ok?
What a sad joke for you all, fool you once?.....fool you twice..shame, shame, shame !?
Goodluck.Trini.t.o.o.
Trini.t.o.o.,
I've been reading a lot of the articles on this site, and I just wanted to say that your articles are always so well-written, informative and supported strongly by the research and facts you include in your work. It's hard to disagree with the arguments you make. I like how you're not afraid to speak your mind and challenge our minds to be exposed to things we either fail to see, or simply take for granted at times... I wish there were more writers like you in T-dad! Keep up the good work, I look forward to reading your next article!
Jets20, you are so right. We really appreciate Trini.t.o.o's articles. It is indeed sad that there aren't many more like him on Trinidad soil. But then again if you are on Trinidad soil your mind is most likely to be put in a lock. And doh even try to get your letters published in a local newspapers - no chance. So I'm delighted that we have this space where there is virtually no limit on space to publish.
Metaphorically speaking, fish in fishbowls don't frequently - from my experience - sail the wide open oceans, make new discoveries and share vast amounts of knowledge and experience.
Instead fish in fishbowls - especially if they are isolated - tend to think they know their bowl the best and they are king of their tiny pond. I saw this attitude well demonstrated by our 'class clown', Scholar - right here on this site.
You have probably also noticed that local Trini's tend not participate out here. Why? I suggest the following possible reasons:
I speak my mind freely and that is what this site is about - so tough on all Trini's in cascadura land - bedeviled by monkey island justice and law enforcement - who take exception to my broad brush views.
Hat's off to all Trinbagonians on foreign soil who contribute to this site - continue to show the way.