He cast a giant shadow

By Raffique Shah
April 12, 2014

Raffique ShahRay Robinson was the most titled politician in the history of Trinidad and Tobago: President of the Republic, Prime Minister, Chief Secretary of the Tobago House of Assembly, and for good measure, Chief Olokun Igbaro of the Yoruba people.

But he was not the most successful, certainly at the polls. He was King of Tobago but a knave in Trinidad. In fact, he was a Tobagonian politician whom Trinidadians loved to hate.
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Interrogating the Sex of God

By Corey Gilkes
April 09, 2014

BibleContinuing from my last long ramble, I want to offer my opinions on the issue of using sex-specific terms in Western religious tradition – in other words, the “sex” of “god.” To the deeply pious – and perhaps even the moderately pious – that kinda talk is flat out preposterous, nothing short of sacrilegious and a mockery of religious beliefs. I agree, it is…..actually no, I don’t agree, it’s not. In really progressive societies, including the colonising one that put the rubbish in we head in de firs place, these are the kinds of conversations that take place. In any event, essentially every one of the major religions, particularly the Abrahamic faiths, started out acknowledging the Divine Feminine principles and then they all in one form or another concealed and wrote them out of their narratives. The only thing that is preposterous is *why*. Hey, doh vex with me, study the history very carefully and then take it up with your minister who withheld this information all these years. They went to a seminary or theological college so they damn well supposed to know about all this.
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Arthur NR Robinson has died

Robinson has died

By Multimedia Desk
April 09, 2014 – trinidadexpress.com

Arthur NR RobinsonFormer President and Prime Minister Arthur NR Robinson has died.

Robinson, who had been ailing for several months, passed away at the St Clair medical Centre at around 6 a.m. He was 87.

His passing was confirmed by National Security Minister Gary Griffith who said a State funeral was being planned.
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Patriots built bank

By Raffique Shah
April 06, 2014

Raffique ShahThe cavalier manner in which certain senior officials at First Citizens responded to the legitimate concerns of citizens over aspects of the bank’s Initial Public Offering (IPO) exposed them as not knowing their own history, or caring about public trust that is critical to the success and survival of such institutions.
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Deyalsingh: Sacha contracted to NP to clean glass

By Ria Taitt
April 04, 2014

Sacha SinghSacha Singh, the ex-girlfriend of former tourism minister Chandresh Sharma, has the contract to clean glass windows at National Petroleum (NP), St Joseph MP Terrence Deyalsingh revealed yesterday.

“Who is Sacha Singh? What glass she accustom cleansing?” Deyalsingh asked.
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Chandresh Sharma Resigns

March 31, 2014

Chandresh SharmaStatement by the Honourable Prime Minister, Kamla Persad- Bissessar, SC, on the revocation of the appointment of Honourable Minister of Tourism, Chandresh Sharma

I have advised the President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, His Excellency, Anthony Carmona, of the decision to revoke the appointment of the Honourable Minister of Tourism, Chandresh Sharma.
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The Sacrificial Ram

By Raffique Shah
March 29, 2014

Raffique ShahGlenn ‘Hamper Man’ Ramadharsingh is one shell-shocked politician. As the poster boy for performance in the People’s Partnership Government, he cannot understand why the Prime Minister fired him for a relatively trivial sin, when he (and she) sees and knows of other ministers who have committed far graver offences, seven and eight-digit crimes, and they remain riding tall in the saddle.
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Police probing Chandresh for assault of ex-girlfriend

Tourism Minister Chandresh Sharma

By Shaliza Hassanali
March 30, 2014 – guardian.co.tt

Tourism Minister Chandresh Sharma is under investigation by the police for the assault of his former girlfriend. Sacha Singh, the managing director of AMS Biotech Security Concept and AmSure T&T Ltd, who is in her late 20s, met with officers of the St Joseph Police Station on Friday at her Piarco business and gave a statement of Sharma’s alleged physical abuse during an altercation on March 12 at Grand Bazaar. Though a police investigation into such a matter can take as long as six months, the Sunday Guardian learnt that because of the high-profile nature of the matter it is being fast-tracked. ASP Joanne Archie, public information officer of the T&T Police Service, yesterday confirmed that an investigation was being conducted by the police against Sharma: “Statements were recorded and the investigation is in progress.”
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PM axes Ramadharsingh after reported incident with flight attendant

March 25, 2014 – guardian.co.tt

Dr Glenn RamadharsinghFollowing is the full text of the release from the Office of the Prime Minister, announcing her decision to fire Dr Glenn Ramadharsingh, former Minister of the People.

While I was overseas attending a funeral of a family friend I received reports of an incident concerning the Honourable Minister of the People, Dr. Glenn Ramadharsingh.
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Hurtling to self-destruction

By Raffique Shah
March 23, 2014

Raffique ShahIf we think that the top-to-bottom lawlessness and overpowering crime that besiege the country today are portents of hopelessness in tomorrow, think again. It will be much worse. Those who will live here for the next 50 or 80 years (I will be long gone, thankfully) should be afraid…very afraid.
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