18 thoughts on “A Brek-UP, Brek-DOWN Society”

1. A splendid piece of writing which touches at the heart of everything that is wrong in T&T.
   The key word in the conclusion, “pretensions” points to the core of the Trini society but also characterizes the dysfunctional personality profiles of so many Trinidadians.
   The irony of this situation is that the Education minister is a product of the past colonial education system which he strongly and mistakenly advocates and is obviously threatened by expansion and progressive changes.
   Our inability to Build-up is responsible for the economic predicament in which we find ourselves, and worst of all, our current leadership on both sides of the divide is totally bankrupt of innovative, smart and progressive ideas to lift our country out of its downward spiral.

2. “But we have to brek him down too, because in this Brek-UP, Brek-DOWN society, respect is an ancient virtue.”

   We no longer live in a values base society. The sad reflection in our crime statistics, attack on children and the elderly. Going down the moral death trap that has taken nations into the abyss seems to be our portion.
   There was always been a faint hope that the Trinidad in which we grew up under strict moral codes would be a model nation. Blessed with wealth and a respect for the rules that makes for a civil society.

   Unfortunately we see a society in decline. Last year that decline became more obviously with several police, and former police and army officers guardians of security boldly engaged in criminal behaviours of the agregious kind. What can we say when professionally trained criminals turn to wreak havoc on an unsuspecting almost docile population. Yes fish rot from the head down.

   The breakdown of the family is central to the decline. Sadly it can only get worst from there on.

3. A heck of a lot of memories here. In 1967 the Ministry of Education (Alexandra St.) organized someone to meet me at Heathrow from the High Commission in London, England (located at 57 South Audley St. before moving on to 42 Belgrave Sq. later on). Seeing no one I took a taxi (3 pounds 10 shillings) to the High Commission and the response I received; was they know nothing about me and they escorted me with my 2 suitcases to the roadway. The High Commisioner at the time was Andrew Rose. It took an English woman who must have seen agony on my face, referred me to the British Council in Hans Crescent and it was from there I made headway for the next 12 years securing my academic qualifications all on my own. During the early years I applied for a scholarship (Alexandra St.) and was rejected but the strangest thing was someone else’s application including the photograph of someone else was returned to me under my name. May I add a few weeks later I saw some T&T nationals (including some island schol winners at LSE) featured in a newspaper at a cocktail circuit with Andrew Rose who hosted such). Peter Clarke may remember this event as well.

   The point I am bringing forward is tribal politics played a part then as it is still making a play today. That is what pretensions do to you as NAR was setting about to undo only to have tribalism causing the brek down civil society of T&T. The basis of this is the lack of respect for one another. Great article Selwyn.

   1. I knew Andrew Rose tangentially and not that well, through an in-law. But from my read of the man and his character, I doubt very much he would have done what you imply.

      I also was the beneficiary of a national scholarship (1969), and knew personally several others. The indo beneficiaries that I knew of — in 1969 and in the immediately prior years — for sure did not suffer tribal discrimination. One I know of went away, got his qualification, and returned to take up a post with Trintopec before it became Petrotrin.

      I, also, suffered a mix-up of names when I received a cheque intended for a recipient that had the same name as I except for a variation of spelling. I quickly brought the matter to the attention of the Scholarships Officer at the Canadian High Commission in Ottawa, and it was almost as quickly settled. I later met my namesake and had a good laugh about the matter.

      Honest mistakes are made by *any* bureaucracy, and perhaps especially by that of T&T. The insouciance of the T&T bureaucracy is an equal-opportunity enterprise. These things happen. Tribal animus need not enter into it.

      If you went away on a merit scholarship arranged by the Ministry of Education, I find it hard to believe that the London High Commission would have interfered with that. I can believe any number of mix-ups to have occurred to your discomfort. It is entirely possible and the more likely hypothesis, that the High Commission received no notification, or late notification, of your arrival, as they told you.

      I can tell stories of mix-ups of my own, including no pay for several *months*, later corrected in lump sum. I hardly think tribal animus could explain that.

      In any case, the facts cited in your recitation do not allow the conclusion you seek — improper action based on tribal animus — to be drawn. Therefore, you should withdraw the slanderous imputation against Mr. Rose and/or the Ministry of Education of 1967.

      Btw, when I arrived in Toronto in 1969, I had no welcome committee arranged by the High Commission or anyone else. Fortunately the university had a welcome desk for students arriving from overseas.

      There is a psychological phenomenon called “projection”. That is where one who is consumed with some animus projects that same animus unto the victim. The indo-Trini knows and admits his own anti-“Negro” animus (e.g FEM Hosein, Vidia Naipaul). He assumes that the “Negro” has like animus in return. Therefore, every unpleasant encounter with “Negro” officialdom is seen not only as a manifestation of anti-indo tribal animus, but even as anti-indo tribal *discrimination*.

      I must protest. I reject this insipid bim/bam insinuation.

      Men such as Eric Williams, Ellis Clarke, and I dare say Andrew Rose, bequeathed to our Republic a Constitution, and oaths of office that expressly call on all office-holders to exercise the functions of their office without fear or *favour*, and to do right by all manner of citizen. Their actions bear out their sworn oaths of office. Certainly, the indo-Trini manifestly has prospered under afro-Trini governments.

      So let us hear no more slanderous accusations against good men, unless well supported by facts that bear out the charges.

      1. I do not follow ‘good’ men as you put it because too many times I have seen men who choose to cloak themselves with goodness and stand with the elite even on pulpits only to falter as to those who do not practice what they preach. What you define as good need not be the same view I hold. I respect men who choose to walk with Angela Davis from Jubilee Hall in Leeds,Yorks. and walk in solidarity for the injustice of the Soledad brothers. Therefore the tribal animus you talk about is complete BS as you should know better when the Israelites were led to freedom by Moses are the same slaves who tore into Moses (a prophet is not recognized in his own kingdom). The introduction of the Indo Trini in your discussion is a reflection of your obsession and possibly the psychological projection you manifest. Let the scales from your eyes drop so that your vision need not be impaired further meaning get off from that high horse you positioned yourself. All men are born equal and as expected should be treated fairly.

         1. The introduction of the Indo Trini in your discussion is a reflection of your obsession and possibly the psychological projection you manifest.

            Er… it was *you* that said “The point I am bringing forward is tribal politics played a part then as it is still making a play today”, implying anti-indo tribal animus by the Israelite-dominated PNM.

            The anecdote you cite cannot support the charge. It is therefore a slander. You would do well to withdraw it.

            As to anti-“Negro” animus, I do not project, I may *quote*… FEM Hosein, Vidia Naipaul, and the “Indian Policy”. One may even add the great “Mahatma” to the list.

            So let us hear no more slanderous accusations that are really a sort of bim/bam projection that assume that indo hate is requited in exact measure.

            —
            “For my love they are my adversaries: but I give myself unto prayer. And they have rewarded me evil for good, and hatred for my love.” (Psalm 109:4-5)

            1. No. It appears to me that the tribalism you are relating to is Indian vs Negro in T&T. You fail to accept that the feeling of superiority exist within the races themselves which identifies tribalism itself. The 14% mixed race is also included. When Eric Williams let his bucket down in ’56, shades of workers in banks changed subsequently because that is what the eyes can see. Today, everyone is caught up with the furor of crime running amok in the country but what can possibly be behind that, can it be that Laventille is viewed as prime real estate? Just a thought which is not meant to be slanderous.

               http://www.patheos.com/blogs/rogereolson/2015/03/the-sin-of-tribalism/

4. I’m descended from Joseph Hume who married Hardin Burnley’s sister. 35 years ago I married a Trinidadian without knowing any family history. It’s a strange world, friends.

5. Ha ha ha Doc.Funny stuff.You were doing quite well,until you mentioed that Self loating – Trini -Brown/Bkack skin Englishman – Wannabe bloke, VS Naipul. Perhaps the most ungrateful soul ,this country,region ,&maybe entire Commomwealth ,has ever seen. The opportunistic ,unpatriotic,pathetic bastard,won a Nobel Literature Prize ,but did not even have the decency ,to acknowlege the country of his birth,which contributed to his initial success-opting instead ,to heap praises on Mama Britain ,& ancestral India,all in his typical , phony English accent.
   A Jamaican would not have done that,if he wanted to ever visit Jamaica again.
   I’m almost certain a Saint Lucian, such as Literature Nobelist,Derreck Walott,paid homage,even while giving credit to his adopted pais T&T.
   A Nigerian Nobelist like Wole Soyinka, most certainly did,in recognition of the fact ,that his British education alone, did not create his entire being as a globally respected Playwright- writer,and Political activist ,who fought against corruption,barbaranism ,& political injustices ,which plagued his homeland,Continent,& world at large.

   https://www.google.tt/amp/s/kinnareads.com/2011/04/05/21-days21-poems-telephone-conversation-by-wole-soyinka/amp/?client=ms-android-samsung

   You see Doc,it’s all ‘s well and good, to denounce your fellow country folks ,as simplistic,uncaring -“Brek-UP, Brek-DOWN, Brek-AWAY society with pretensions towards civility.”but you fail miserably ,if in so doing ,you exclude characters such as VS Naipaul.

   I subscribe to a view, that ‘unto whom much is given;much is expected.’
   Without the efforts of local Belmont Boy, turned American Civil Rights/Political Activist , Stokkey Carmichael aka Kwame Ture,Afro Americans, would still be living in segregated Communities,educating their kids in decrepit,sub par -totally African -schools ,eating on Resturant gabbage bins,& sitting at the back of buses.
   Fast forward to 2016, & not a single tribute is done in his name.
   MLK,Medger Evers,Du Bois,Malolm X,& the likes ,get all the credit.
   Yet some still wonder why,even with a so called Black ,Ivy educated President,& his Yuppy wife Michelle Jakie O Kennedy Robinson, Africans in Pax Americana ,are still living as 2 nd class citizens.
   As for T&T? Well ,not only did Stokley forner Howard Proffessor ,Papa Deffy Eric ,ban him from the Country of his birth, but his fellow citizens ,followed that Neo imperialist lead ,and ignored his sterling contributions to advancing the cause for Humanity,while putting T&T on the map. No tribute Doc ,to this day.
   In de interim,if that ungrateful character, Sir VS , lands here in the morning ,and said he wishes to be the next PM , or President ,Trinis might vote for ,or nominate the Knighted National Award Winner.,for that’s how they roll.
   Yet some are still curious, as to the real reasons, as to why we’ll remain an underdeveloped ,3 World feifdom-natural resources or not.
   Jamaica,& Barbados ,both named their airports ,in honor of their Founding Fathers.
   Guyana in contrast,choosed to name their 2nd tier leader, in Neo Marxist Dr Chedie ,as opposed to Forbes Burnam,the more deserving.
   At some point ,our T&T too, would be forced to make a similar decusion ,so who do you think that honor would go to Doc,& why?
   The world embraced Political Statesman ,&ICC founder ,ANR Robinson ,as an honest ,decent ,selfless individual ,who used his influence, to promote Human RIghts,& Social Justice Internationally.
   His own Country T&T ,treated him like a sack of rotton onions.
   Not only did his NAR pal Panday,not attend his funeral -in keeping with human dencency-but has done everything feasible ,to downplay the importance of the CCJ-while opting to still push the Privy Council,but you know why the opposition Doc. The CCJ-was an ANR brainchild too.

   Still surprise as to why we appear to be a …” Brek-UP, Brek-DOWN, Brek-AWAY society with pretensions towards civility,”Ooc?
   Got to be careful Doc , for if you go to any Medical Doctor ,&a misdiagnosis is made,the eventual outcome , can be fatal.
   Warmest Regards.

6. In the good old days of C.L.R James and Dr. Williams, before what is now considered as the Brek-UP, Brek-DOWN society, everyone did not have a Minister friend or a friend in high places. Also two archaic events were practiced – Capital Punishment and Corporal Punishment.
   Hmm! I wonder.

7. http://www.newsday.co.tt/news/0,238068.html

   What do we know people,for this country hating comedian, sat around on his haunches , for 5 years ,as Kamla ,& her PP political goons, kicked him repeatedly ,in ‘de you know what.’
   Suddenly ,as’ Dr Kieth,& his Red &Ready ‘blokes, are ruling the political roost ,he is screaming like a Toco costipated Manicou,about unresolved labor affairs.
   Get it in your thick skull Roget-oil,& gas prices ,are at an all time low/is still plumetting on the World’s Market-no fault of Petrotrin,or government.
   Your T&T ,had 6 Prime Ministers before the Mason Hall Kid took charge -a little over a year ago-and non of the Characters before him,saw it fit,to push diversification of our economy ,as a policy.

   Way to go Mama JB Primus ,- finally ,using your ‘Cache ,’as a former Labor insider big wig yourself ,and now ,in your capacity ,as our Labor Head Minister,is pushing the envelop,in search of a win/win solution,that is palatable to all,hmmmmm? Get to work. You weren’t made a Senator,and Minister ,all because of…. ‘your good looks.’
   It’s a beautiful thing,for yours truly on two fronts people:-
   1.I love to see political neophytes ,hitch their romps on the Hard core -Political gravy train-after sitting afar in the private, or NGO /Civil Society front ,getting fat ,for decades,only to get a reality check ,as they get their Knickers,or Jockstraps dragged off,and they get torn a new .ummmmm….one-as we ike to say on the streets.
   How are you guys doing ,Mama Verna St Rose,and Mary King? What happend to you,once you became a glorified Tourism Minister Mr Stephen Cadiz,of de Keith Noel 136 Committee fame?Let me guess,you no longer want 500 ,000 visitors to come to see T&T? Think they’ll still visiting ,if crime is still getting out of hand,as it did under your regime?

   http://www.trinidadexpress.com/business/Cadiz_wants_500_000_to_visit_T_T_this_year-192644251.html

   What’s that,Dominican Republic,Brazil,Columbia,Venezuela ,Holland ,Germany,Las Vagas USA,and Thailand ,has much more crimes than our T&T,and they are still visiting en mass?
   Ok ,I agree,but are our equally enticing Chicas/and economically desperate Mujeres ,likewise willing ,to sell what the listed countries,and single USA state women, offer ,or better yet, our hypocritical ,fake religious, political,& civic leaders ,willing to take the morally tinged -neo British chains, off our women -via decriminalization of sex work,like their more progressive ,tourist minded , Latin American ,Western European /South east Asian counerparts did?

   2.Secondly ,I get to see our budding La Trinity Republic ,and it’s sometimes visionless leaders, grapple with the not too subtle nuances of economic fairness, social justice ,and elusive,yet much coveted , sustainable development ,under our version of Westminster Parliamentary Democracy.
   However I digress.

   Look folks ,here is de deal as I view it,re this high pressure situation. If Kamla could have leaned on her Labor Minister, in Loud Mouth- (but only when he too was a then ,OWTU Labor big dog) Errol Mc Loud ,& grateful Afro one time labor radical ,in Speaker Wade -MBA-Mark ,to keep labor rattlesnakes ,such as dis Roget,and dat now irrelevant , sex fiend/criminal accused -PSA -Tobago Duke, at bay ,then it’s about darn time ,you Mama JB Primus ,deliver on something ,for your PM
   Oh and for the record people,as politically precarious as this industrial stalemate might appear,don’t loose too much sleep,for all will be fine. Ourbudding Grandmaster Chess playing PM ,got this,trust me on that.
   Why do I have such confidence? I’ll tell you.
   Our present PM ,just like PP PM Auntie Kamla ,is a person of sound spiritual faith.
   She swore by her Hindustani spiritual faith ,& gods ,but had an ace up her sleeves,in Sat Maraj,who did everything up to 2015 ,to protect her ,while ensuring she acquired humongous ,wealth,national power ,and global glory.
   Not to be outdone,is Dr Keith. A solid Christian in his own right,but likewise ,won’t hesitate ,to get some help where warranted ,from a dear Uncle ,in Tobago’s own , Papa Niza. Tell you what folks,let Hansard show ,that the good guy,never failed his trusted nephew.
   To prove my point-Our PM had to contend with frivillous lawsuits ,was kicked out in embarrassing fashion, from the House ,by an over zealous, Afro Eat ah food Speaker ,was accused of every form of corruption imaginable,was labled a sex starved pedofile ,for gyrating on a 35 year old looking 17 year old Indo Trini Carnival Jumping Chica,along with 50 other women ,of varying backgrounds,outed as having an illegitimate son,& labelled a potential rapist too,since his Papa,allegedly raped his Mama. With each salvo ,the PM came out smiling, garnering more support by a perceptive public.
   To top it off,notice that it was around that time,oil prices started falling. None of us need to be rocket scientists to know, that if oil prices was stable one year ago,or Kamla had called election -Manning style -by the end of 2014,she would ave become a 2 term PM. Papa Niza in all his glory,will always trump Sat Maraj,no matter how we slice it.
   To finally put some iceing on the cake ,let me remind folks ,& this political Salipainter Roget, of sometjing-since he naively believe ,he has the upper hand.
   Last I checked ,there was a country 7 miles away from our T&T ,with 100 times the oil and gas we have -most of which were stolen from us ,one might add.
   They desperately need food,plus have other economic /social needs. Our savvy PM was seen leading the region/world, on efforts to assist our neighbor Venezuela.
   So on Monday ,let Roget pull his stupid stunt ,on behalf of unmentionable elements ,with ill will /evil intent ,to wards our country. We’ll be fine,so don’t start celebrating just yet Kamla.
   Oh Afro BuddahSunGod,who resides in our hearts ,please guide our nation,and it’s leaders during these sometimes troubling time.
   Let’s wish our underachieving country well,shall we?
   Long live de Republic of Tobag…….,ooooops . lo Siento…T&T!

8. Here Neal… PetroSingh is built on a Slave Plantation… They say the bloodiest slave revolt in T&T took place there…
   Ask the Professor…>

   Living As Dogs, Part 1
   By Dr. Selwyn R. Cudjoe
   November 06, 2016

   The place is Point-a-Pierre; the plantation is Carolina Estate; the story is told by Choonee, the Sirdar; the interpreter is a black man. This story is taken verbatim from a report Choonee made at Union Hall Police Station on September 6, 1847. The report reproduced below is dated May 1, 1848. I use the “C” word to retain the authenticity of the story.

   Now… Like allyuh still tink that Kneegroes are still slaves… Allyuh House Slaves all over the radio pissing on Mr. Roget, along with allyuh new Slave-Masters Aboud, Ramnarine and a host of other ‘Non-Africans’ waxing allyuh ‘simple’ minds on the Airwaves of T&T…
   Do they really think ‘we’ are that simple Neal? Do they really think that they can play us like puppets and put us against a brother as he seeks a more efficient Petrotrin (Go read his proposal, Neal.)?

   BTW… Oil is trading at $54 a barrel… Hardly ‘an all time low’…

   And where were allyuh when Dr. Rowley and Co. decided to pay Cane Farmer? Oil was trading at $30 a barrel then….Stuppes..

   Here Neal… Ent we doltish?

   T&T cane farmers demand remainder of EU funds
   By Staff Writer April 15, 2016

   Prime Minister Keith Rowley told a public meeting in Malabar on Tuesday the Government intended to pay out TT$52 million to the cane farmers.
   He said the money was not meant for the farmers but to reimburse the government for money spent after the industry closed down on their pension plans, enhanced voluntary separation packages and training but would honour the agreement of the previous government “because the word of the government of T&T must mean something to the people of T&T.”

   http://www.stabroeknews.com/2016/news/regional/04/15/tt-cane-farmers-demand-remainder-eu%e2%80%88funds/

9. “And where were allyuh when Dr. Rowley and Co. decided to pay Cane Farmer? Oil was trading at $30 a barrel then….Stuppes..
   Here Neal… Ent we doltish?”RamK

   Ha ha ha ha,Y si ,good ,provocative stuff, Mi Hermano Ram K.
   Be careful,and recognize ,that I wrote ,’de playing dead to catch Cobeaux alive ,’manuscript,for driving ,on dis here ,Trini Center Nation Highway.
   Muy complicado,especially if you are using de ummmm… English speaking -South American – Guyanese Starbucks newspaper ,as your objective source ,re a critique of our La Trinity citizens,or more so ,it’s African leader
   Translation:-I’m not so certain ,what lane of our Highway ,you are heading-since I don’t know you long enough.
   I tend to take umbrage however ,with collective characterization,such as ” Dotish ,” when describing our people.
   It ‘s a bit too simplistic, an analysis.
   From the little I’ve read of your pass comments,I sensed that you ,unlike lame brain ,quasi literate Mamboo,’me think ,’you perhaps, even did some college ,like dat elite school educated TMan bloke.
   It’s a valid criticism ,that most Trinis don’t give a rats rear end /darm ,if Good Friday,falls on a Monday,but the majority ‘knows what time it is’ -as we like to say on de streets.
   They tend to get-for want of a better expression- ‘pissed off,’when their respective leaders ,take dem for suckers,agreed?
   Here is de deal Ram K, when it comes to Playing the game called Politics ,in a tribally fractured/class fissured society like ours.
   908% of the time,your base would remain loyal. The trick theredore is ,to entice voters belonging to ‘de other ,’to support you,since it might bolster their-individual/collective self interests.
   Did anyone mention ,pro Royalist ,Democratic Partyvooser ,Queen Hillary Clinton,or American megalomaniacal ,political blowhard Republican Preaidential victor,The Donald ,lately?
   No Kamla ,you can’t call every Tobago THA leader -Not named TOP-Duck Man-35 room mansion Jack -corrupt ,while dangling UNC/PP styled concept of Independence / Political atonomy, for it’s people, then expect to win. Oh,& need I mention Ram K,that White Europeans,& Indo Trinis,are the two fastest rising demogrqphics flocking to make Tobago their permanent home?
   How many people got murdered in Trinidad ,for the year again RamK? Four I believe,which is the total for Tobago in 2016. 3 & half of which ,most likely were from big brother Trinidad.
   Can’t call African leaders of your rivaling party,a ultra corrupt,sex fiend,or allow your minions to treat him ,like an abandoned caroni,one leg dog,then expect African voters support. Just ain’t prudent.
   Fortunately/unfortuanately ,the Afro dominant PNM ,has done a much better job ,of playing the cross tribal game ,than their INDO Dominant ULF/Unc/Cop/PP Cousins ,on the other side.
   That explains why de Afro Party won 95 ,out of 100 general /local elections in La Trinity,since 1962,and will win yet another ,in the upcomming THA showcase .
   It likewise explain away,why Indo Trinis have done much better in T&T,than their Adrican counterparts.
   Yeah ,some of dem unmentionable cyber clowns ,would still tell you-with a straight face ,it’s due to opaque ,noble ancestral holdover Culture, stable marriage led Families, fixation on sacrifices,or high end education.
   Those of us in the know ,are aware, that nothing can be further from the truth,for a poor 9year old girl ,married to a 25 year old ,or 10 year old males ,can never produce a stable,non dysfunctional family.
   It’s instead called appeasement,at the expense of your own ,Eric Williams, George Chambers,and Patrick Manning .
   No need for me to elaborate Ram K. The Castaria kid , tried to tweak things a bit,during his NAR stewardship,but you saw what was the end result of his attempt,si?
   Enter ,stage right ,Lennox Phillip ,aka Yasin Abu Bakr ,and his Islamist bandits,who almost destroyed oyr Democracy.
   Dr Keith ,aka de Mason Hall kid,is in a fine position to be a difference maker. We’ll see how he plays the game down crunch time,until 2020.
   Paying Cane farm workers was one move. Elevating several progressive ,Indo Trinis ,into most favored ,political/civic positions -soon after a general election/prior to a local one ,was another.
   Dr Keith’s new challenge though,is dealing with his 2016 /17 version of a Abu Bakr,in OWTU Labor -closet terrorist -President Roget-likewise doing the biddings of(unmentional) others.
   In the end ,our dear PM will realize, that one’s political legacy , won’t receive ,high status ratings -globally /domestically-by such paltry undertakings.
   Neglected TOBAGO-a major symbol of the similaly disgusting ,sub standard treatment of most Afro Trinis ,& their enclaves ,in this our Twin Republic -by leaders on both sides of the tribal lines -would be his Mt Everest.
   Would the lives of Tobagonians ,and the development of the historically ignored Island ward ,be any better ,than that which was left by the late ANR Robinson,Winston Murray,and similar selfless stalwarts, who seem to care?
   An economically thriving ,socially /politically more independent Tobago ,is less a burden ,but a greater boon for all of T&T.
   Tell me something RamK-based on what are seeing as the trend -would you be surprise ,say if in 5 years time,Pan is dead , folks can get arrested for humming a parang tune,all Latins immigrants /reugees ,& visitors ,are prevented from even visiting T&T,or unlike Brazil,our Carnival is relegated to second class statusas ,as far as our national festival,only to be replaced by …. well,even you are smart to see where I am going with that,and can fill in the blanks. Oh,& least I forget,
   RIP Chutney Icon Anand Ramkawan. T&T ,is a much better place culturally ,due to de sterling efforts of Kamal,& younger brothet Sham Mohammed .
   As for Kiaso,Pan,and Parrang? No se?
   Stay Vigilant T&T!
   I love this land,Y tu?

10. This is a thought-provoking piece. One may go off in so many directions, it is difficult to formulate a response. But I feel compelled to do so, and to do so from a biblical perspective. In this way I may be true to my calling, and also provide a perspective that otherwise would be absent from the discussion. For, alas, our pastors and preachers are asleep at the wheel. None stands in the gap.

    The allusion here is to Ezekiel. It will seem a stretch, and far removed from Bro. Cudjoe’s assessment that we are a “brek up, brek down” society. But while I accept the assessment, it is necessary also to search for deeper understanding. That search leads to one fundamental fact: “We” the so-called “Negro”, the ones who have formed this “brek up brek down society”, this “half-formed” society of Naipaul, are the literal seedline of Israel.

    The reason for our condition may thus be found in Scripture, and God’s covenant relationship with his holy seed of Israel. The solution to our problem likewise is to be found in Scripture, and to that covenant relationship.

    Note carefully: I do not say anything about religion. One of the curses that was to befall true Israel, precisely, was religion:

    “And Yahweh shall scatter thee among all people, from the one end of the earth even unto the other; and there thou shalt serve other gods, which neither thou nor thy fathers have known, even wood and stone.” (Deuteronomy 28:64)

    Religion has made us a house divided. Some of us follow the Orisha. Some follow “Jesus”, a son of man who is also son of God and God-the-Son, and do so in a confusion of strains and branches of Christianity, none of which was sanctioned under our covenant relationship with the Most High. Some follow Islam. Some follow Ras Tafari. The list is as long as it is endless.

    But God is not the author of confusion, therefore only a moment’s reflection must lead to the conclusion that this is all of the Deceiver, except that God gave permission for that confusion to be brought upon us, pursuant to Deuteronomy 28:64, much like He gave permission to Satan to bring destruction — but only up to a point — upon Job.

    Just recently in the news we heard our Minister Fitz-Gerald Hinds lamenting the feud between Rasta City and the Muslims. That too is illustrative of the “brek up brek down” society… and the curse of Deuteronomy 28:64.

    Deuteronomy 28:64 speaks only to the religious dimension of a larger problem. As Israelites of the seed, under the curses, the destruction is more comprehensive than that. God said He gave us His laws, statutes, and judgments that we might “live”:

    “Now therefore hearken, O Israel, unto the statutes and unto the judgments, which I teach you, for to do them, that ye may live…” (Deuteronomy 4:1)

    The implication is of course that if do not keep the laws of the covenant, we would be destroyed, i.e. become precisely a brek up brek down people:

    “Moreover all these curses shall come upon thee, and shall pursue thee, and overtake thee, till thou be destroyed; because thou hearkenedst not unto the voice of Yahweh thy God, to keep his commandments and his statutes which he commanded thee…” (Deuteronomy 28:45)

    But it is Ezekiel that best describes our condition as a people. For as it was with us just prior to the Babylonian captivity, so it is with us today:

    “18 Son of man, the house of Israel is to me become dross: all they are brass, and tin, and iron, and lead, in the midst of the furnace; they are even the dross of silver.19 Therefore thus saith Yahweh; Because ye are all become dross, behold, therefore I will gather you …20 As they gather silver, and brass, and iron, and lead, and tin, into the midst of the furnace, to blow the fire upon it, to melt it; so will I gather you in mine anger and in my fury, and I will leave you there, and melt you. 21 Yea, I will gather you, and blow upon you in the fire of my wrath, and ye shall be melted in the midst therof. 22 As silver is melted in the midst of the furnace, so shall ye be melted in the midst thereof; and ye shall know that I Yahweh have poured out my fury upon you.” (Ezekiel 22:18-22)

    The metaphor of melting is of course of a piece with the “brek up brek down” image.

    Ezekiel continues…

    “25 There is a conspiracy of her prophets in the midst thereof, like a roaring lion ravening the prey; they have devoured souls; they have taken the treasure and precious things; they have made her many widows in the midst thereof. 26 Her priests have violated my law, and have profaned mine holy things: they have put no difference between the holy and profane, neither have they shewed difference between the unclean and the clean, and have hid their eyes from my sabbaths, and I am profaned among them. 27 Her princes in the midst thereof are like wolves ravening the prey, to shed blood, and to destroy souls, to get dishonest gain. 28 And her prophets have daubed them with untempered morter, seeing vanity, and divining lies unto them, saying, Thus saith Yahweh, when Yahweh hath not spoken. 29 The people of the land have used oppression, and exercised robbery, and have vexed the poor and needy: yea, they have oppressed the stranger wrongfully.

    “30 And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none.

    31 Therefore have I poured out mine indignation upon them; I have consumed them with the fire of my wrath: their own way have I recompensed upon their heads, saith Yahweh.” (Ezekiel 22:25-31)

    The prophets, priests and princes — the exemplars of the society — were thus in many ways the most guilty. So it is also with T&T today. “If the priest could play, who is we” is how the calypsonian put it. Therefore, our exemplars are not exempt from disrespect. Our princes are not particularly meritorious, unless merit is to be accorded to mere money-grubbing. Where Mammon waxes triumphant, we must expect and accept to be as dross melted in the furnace.

    Reginald Dumas may well be a paragon of virtue and good judgment, a man that fears God, a man of truth, hating covetousness (Exodus 18:21). But in a furnace the silver will be melted along with the dross. I think we are still drawing down on moral capital bequeathed to us by men like Eric Williams, Ellis Clarke, and Andrew Rose, as I suggested in an earlier post. But… the vice in our midst certainly overwhelms the virtue.

    What it foretells is a coming judgment. As Judah was carted off to Babylon, some latter-day judgment is near upon us. In that day, there was none to stand in the gap and make up the hedge. In this day, those that might otherwise stand in the gap will be a regathered remnant. The rest will suffer the fate of Sodom. That is written.

    The matter is not allegory. The Scripture was written for and pertains to a particular people, the children of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Even Yeshua said plainly, “Salvation is of the Jews” (John 4:22). Who are those people today? Without any reasonable doubt, we the so-called “Negro” scattered to the West into captivity, are a fulfillment of all the signs written of in Scripture; Deuteronomy 28:45-46. The so-called Jews are far from being a match to the curses, rather fulfill the prophecies concerning the impostors that would arise; Revelation 2:9, 3:9, Daniel 11:14. Therefore, more than any other people on the planet, we may be certain that we the so-called “Negro” are of the seedline of Israel. The curses, and the redemption, both, pertain to us. Equally, when the angels are sent out to reap the harvest, they are under orders to “begin with my sanctuary”.

    Yes, Bro. Cudjoe is right in his lament about our society. We are a brek up brek down society, where scant respect is accorded even to the pillars of our society. But it is at least in part because the pillars of our society, as a group, are themselves wanting.

    More fundamentally, it is because we have disobeyed the covenant law to which we are bound as a matter of Israelite seedline. The judgement cometh. None may stand in the gap to save the unrighteous, but the righteous may save themselves by returning to, doing, and keeping the covenant law.

    Bro. Cudjoe is right to shed historical light to help illuminate the problem. The only lack is that the historical light that must be brought must go much further back, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and the covenant law that the Most High entered into with our Israelite forefathers at the time of Moses.

    I do not disparage Queen and country, not even the Burnley’s and Fabien’s of our slave past. I honour QRC and the schoolmasters that came out of the British public school system of Eton, Harrow, Rugby and etc. finished off by Oxford and Cambridge. They had their role to play, which involved being the instrument of our chastisement, and as well bringing back to us the writings of our own forefathers in the form of the King James Bible. A proper look at history, with a long enough view, will show that the role of Britain in the slave trade and in our colonization was foretold. (King James authorized not only the Bible that bears his name, but also our enslavement, wielding the sceptre of Judah as he did both.) Likewise foretold was our encounter and struggles with our indo brethren. For in biblical terms both are our Edomite brethren, and indeed some of the British are our Israelite brethren also. But that’s another story…

    May the Most High shine His light upon us all, that we may come to know and repent our transgressions, return to, do and keep the covenant law to which we are bound by seedline, that we may all of us live in His sight, and escape the judgment otherwise ordained.

    Shalom.

    “Slay utterly old and young, both maids, and little children, and women: but come not near any man upon whom is the mark; and begin at my sanctuary.” (Ezekiel 9:6)

11. http://www.guardian.co.tt/news/2017-01-23/carmona-gets-death-threat

    Oh my,my ,my,& in the words of my late,extremely wise ,Tobago Granny-‘wonders never cease.’Is this what it has come to folks ?
    Death threats on our once beloved, El Presensente Cameo,Y por que,one should ask ?What exacly is the alleged crime ,that was committed by our forner Judge ,turned Ceremonal President? Let me try to lay them out for the benefit of Trini Center Nation ,Information Highway travellers :-
    1. He turned down a highly lucrative job ,as a UN International Court ,Tribunal Judge, opting instead, to be duped into accepting this thankless local gig ,by Kamla ,and her UNC dominant PP goons , who incidentally ,were disgusted by our Carnival loving ,President ,in Professor Max Richard-all because the man had a spine ,and would be allow manipulation by politicians ,to be the order.
    Need I remind readers ,that the ultra political bandits ,deemed our ex President ,too independent ,and beholden to de PNM?
    2. He stood almost silent, during the UNC/PP term ,as Kamla and her government stink up the joint,..lo siento,indulge in every form of not too subtle ,unsavory ,politically debase ,morally repugnant activities .
    Not that one can really blame him for that,since prudence dictates ,that one should be somewhat sensitive ,to de needs of one’s benefactors,for fear of being labeled ungrateful ,si?

    3. Both him ,and his dear wife ,seems to have this uncanny disgust,and or aversion, to anything related to our culture,and would daily take potshot at our Carnival,demanding that our women wear no mas bikinies ,or skimpy outfits,but ugly baggy pants ,long dresses below the ankles,Crocus bags brassiers ,plus refrain from whining/gyrating, during the festivities. In Brazil -our closest Carnival Rival-,a President ,or spouse ,would be buried alive ,for even thinking such ,much less publicly say it.
    I for one ,(objective guy that I am) might have come to our now almost discredited President ,and his wife defense,if they were likewise revolted by the decadence ,and morally destructive activities displayed by revellers during Pagwah,Chutney Soca extravaganzas,/almost lewed gyrators,and Hosay,but sadly their seeming outrages ,were only limited to Carnival,and similar nationalistic ,ex Afro Slaves festivities.
    The question that I always wanted to ask was – how can a man visit the Pope,offer him one of our Steel Pans as a gift,even played a bit for the benefit of his Pontif,then proceed to conveniently schedule his annual vacations ,just around the final week of T&T,Carnival ,so that he, and family ,can be out of the country,and yet ,not have enemies?

    4.He decided to fall into a typical Trini Super Trolling trap. Yep,he allowed , a boorish,almost relevant , Radio comedian character,to lure him into quasi wajang antics ,by threatening opaque lawsuits ,since she had the audacity to make a comment about his wife’s choice of attire, on the grand International stage,at the UN.
    We’ll call that belly button gate ,for rhe moment,and leave it at that.
    Now mind you,the radio personality in question,might have had a point about appropiateness re dress of a national official,but most Trinis don’t really loose much sleep over such proud ,ancestrally driven displays.
    Our Auntie Kamla ,choosed to get sworn in with the Bagwas GIta,then went to India ,only to stoop to the ground ,and kiss the feet,of that country’s sitting female President,and our Rainbow -Calaloo -citizens, only yawnes ,and burp ,during both public acts-for that’s how they roll.

    5. This is where the plot thickens – as we like to say on de streets. It is alleged ,dat his wife, had some major involvement ,with a foreign wine company,which ain’t a crime in and of itself,but to compound the issue,used the Presidential Seal, on said bottles.
    If true,let me add, bad decision, President Cameo!
    Your Esposa ,we are aware ,is an economist ,and so is all about making dollars,and having surpluses on the bank books,but you are an esteemed lawyer and Judge, and should know the law.
    More importantly ,you grew up in Auntie Kamla Siparia neighborhood,was her handpicked choice for President,& yes,piranhas ,Baracudas,& hungry brown/black/white sharks ,are lurking ,from de Caroni River ,to the Beetam smelly ,Mangrove swamp,all de way to the entrance of Tobago THA,via de choppy Bocas waters,si?

    http://www.guardian.co.tt/news/2016-09-20/allegations-misspending

    6. Our Boy Basdeo ,did the same thing, underestimate the Castaria Kid ,Mr ANR,by attempting to undermine his NAR ,once he Baz was kicked out,for trying to be co -PM.
    Not that I am accusing President Cameo of anything ,but last I checked the crime situation was equally precarious, in our T&T,over the past 6 years. El Presidente was quite silent as a gratedul Siparia mouse for 5 of those years,then suddenly is talking up a storm . He waited untill our PM was out of the country, to broadside his government ,with a publicly humiliating stunt,he knew ,would send a not too subtle ,pro Opposition (talking point)message.
    The Mason Hall kid ,is smiling ,while silently asking ,who might be the real criminal T&T? Come again!As Dr Liverpool,aka Chalkdust said in song -“Ah in Town too long,” for the likes of you President Cameo,your wife ,& political benefactors,to slay me. I’ll pass a law to make nepotism a crime ,& put you away in Prison.

    7. Finally ,the gravy on the buss up shut is , that he allegedly ,collected thousands of dollars,as Housing allowance rental,while residing in the Presidential Mansion.
    Sir Ellis,Mr. Noor Hasanalli ,and Ahhh wee Bouy ANR, are all turning over in their graves ,as meanwhile, Uncle Max,proceede to scratch his head ,with a sly smile ,as he observe he too ponder your present predicament.

    http://www.trinidadexpress.com/news/GIVE-IT-BACK–281874951.htmlQuarters.

    Lo siento ,President Cameo,for that you can end up on death row,for this is 2017,not the eighties, or nineties,when money was no problem.
    Our citizens are growing up ,as we speak ,and are therefore are having zero tolerance ,for such types of activities. Economic Transparency,& Good Governance ,are the watchword of our PM ,& his Red &Ready regime-an ideal worth pursuing,I agree.
    What makes your case -if true- easy to persecute,is that none of your predecessors ,from Sir Ellis Clarke,to Professor Max ,& their dear spouses ,were ever known ,to indulge in such alleged behaviors.
    Let me see how this will play out in La Trinity folks. Time to look for a new job President Cameo. We cannot afford to have criminals sitting in President house,where our vulnerable kids(many without parental guidance) can be influenced negatively.
    Now if only Dr Keith,riding high, after yet another political victory, can throw Auntie K ,a bone, he might be able to pull this off.
    Gridlock is the new reality in Parliament ahora,& therefore ,agreement ,& final acceptance of President Cameo successor, will be difficult-if FATCA is any indication.
    Let’a wish our President well, in his new,post Presidential life -again, I reiterate-if the allegations are true.
    Don’t worry President Cameo, Mr Dillon ,our Minister of National Security,and his much maligned , Law enforcement blokes ,will see that no harm come your way.
    Yeah,the same guy ,& his leader you publicly,& and unconstitionally humilated ,when you went ouside your Presidential purview ,by demanding he Dillon,promptly come to your office -like a QRC school boy ,dragged to the Principal office-to explain away the state of crimes in T&T.
    What can one say,but this is chess playing season,& Grand Master Dr Keith-Kasporov -Rowley ,is on a roll,& so ,can smell an early ,media directed , Victimization ploy ,a mile off.
    Put differently,’whosoever diggeth a pit ,for Papa Nizza favorite Nephew ,shall surely fall in it.’Always plays ahead ,of the political peons , still trying to impede the progress of his Red ,& Ready gang.
    No Mr Orville London ,you ain’t getting this Presidential job,now that you are about to step down,as de big do nada of Signifiance as THA big dog.You already have your two , 10 room mansions, in Signall Hill Tobago.
    Neither are you -‘always looking for some fight’-with ah chip on my shoulder self’- Ambassador Dumas. Keep writing your articles ,& remain our above Politics ,outside de fray,voice of reason , re national ,and global affairs.
    As for you (still politically ambitious )Basdeo Panday,aka National Devider in Chief/”Politics has a morality all of it’s own ,”fame?
    Nah,Dr Keith won’t dare,& was known to always listen to his elders.
    Our extremely honest,globally admired T&T Statesman,ex President ANR Robinson,already warned us, about you, and your limited/shaky morals,which he claimed (whether true or not)were the prime reasons,as to why he gave you the middle finger , and thus ,supported Patrick Manning over you, in that now famous tied elections.
    Talk about ‘Machiavellian,’this revengeful manauver,by the Castaria Kid.
    By the time Mikila your daughter ,take over the party from Kamla, in aay,2030,you’ll be too old ,or in actuality , dead and gone ,so still no chance of ever surpassing ANR political record.
    Stay Vigilant T&T!
    I luv this land ,Y tu?

12. Quoting “Loyal Trini”:

    No. It appears to me that the tribalism you are relating to is Indian vs Negro in T&T.

    I called upon you to withdraw *your* tribal slander against Andrew Rose and the 1967 Ministry of Education.

    The basis was the very simple one that there was no basis in the anecdote you cited to support the slander.

    Slander is an actionable tort under the common law. Slander is also a transgression against the law of God; 9th Commandment. The sin is easily washed away by confession and sincere repentance. Very often the actionable tort in law is forgiven by the equivalent, i.e. public apology preceded by withdrawal of the statement constituting the tort.

    I maintain that it would do you well before man and God to withdraw the statement constituting the slander. It is for your good. Whether you do or not is up to you.

    For my part, I reject the insinuation that both races are somehow equally guilty of tribal animus against the other. They are not.

    Even more strongly, I reject the insinuation that the so-called “Negro” (Israelite by seed in fact) has in general acted contrary to the social compact entered into at the founding of the Republic. This compact enshrines the non-racial, non-tribal principle, “here ev’ry creed and race finds an equal place”. That formulation precisely is calculated to roll back a historical wrong.

    The problem is that the so-called “Negro” has conscientiously upheld this principle, while the indo-Trini has not.

    That is the reason why I am highly allergic to the uncritical bim/bam formulation: that tribal animus, and tribal misbehaviour in office cuts equally both ways. There is no evidence for that except mauvais langue and slander.

    You fail to accept that the feeling of superiority exist within the races themselves which identifies tribalism itself. (snip)

    This precisely is the formulation which I reject. You are welcome to disabuse me, not with private anecdotes persuasive only to yourself, but with clear evidence in the public domain.

    For my part, I have cited in other threads verbatim quotes from such as FEM Hosein, V.S. Naipaul, and the infamous “Indian Policy” document. Alyssa also has extensively quoted verbatim from brahminist Hindu scripture, and out of the mouth even of the “great” “Mahatma”. On the other side of the equation, you can cite nothing by even the most race-conscious Israelite (so-called “Negro”), that would prove anti-indo tribal animus, let alone active anti-indo discrimination. Nevertheless, I remain all ears.

    Btw, it is the same in South Africa, with Nelson Mandela’s formulation at the inception of Israelite (so-called “Bantu”) rule in South Africa, that called for a “non-racial” democracy.

    Today, everyone is caught up with the furor of crime running amok in the country but what can possibly be behind that, can it be that Laventille is viewed as prime real estate? Just a thought which is not meant to be slanderous. http://www.patheos.com/blogs/rogereolson/2015/03/the-sin-of-tribalism/

    As to Laventille, the guilty will know better than the intended victim. Why don’t you fill us in?

    As to the religious treatise given in the link, the problem is not “tribalism” per se. God divided up the nations at the time of Peleg. It is Satan that has made it a point to revert to Babel and to mix them back up again. Perfidious Albion has a lot to answer for when the time comes. To say nothing of the synagogue of Satan that ruled Pax Brittanica from behind a curtain, and today rules from behind the scenes of Pax Americana. (Trump will be to avail, despite the devout hopes of so-called “white” America. But I digress.)

    The point is how to make the best of a bad thing. Our Israelite –(so-called “Negro”, “black”, African, afro-Trini, African-American, knee-gah, etc.; choose your byword)– leaders have been generous enough of spirit, wherever we have been scattered, at least to refrain from race-based oppression of the other, rather to go so far as to espouse and embrace, “here ev’ry creed and race…”. Whether as host or stranger, our indo brethren (a branch of the Edomite family tree as I have expounded elsewhere) have not done likewise.

    Be all that as it may, the general topic of tribalism is a deep one. Scripture is certainly not silent on it. Ron Olson does not have it quite right. But on the core moral precept, the idea is simplicity itself: “Thou shalt neither vex a stranger, nor oppress him: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.” (Exodus 22:21).

    I will leave that at that. And I will continue to reject the lazy commentariat that assert that it is a case of bim for bam and tit for tat, more as assumption than as demonstration.

    I withhold my peace from you given your unrepentant slander, but to others I say

    Shalom.

    “For, lo, thine enemies make a tumult: and they that hate thee have lifted up the head. They have taken crafty counsel against thy people, and consulted against thy hidden ones. They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance.” (Psalm 83:2-4)

13. The triple concept of tort is duty, breach and promise and if the embassy failed to deliver the protection of their national then ‘woe unto them’ especially when you are looking at the ‘goodness’ of an individual rather than the mix of a population. OOps! Trinidadians in their native land do not know how to resign from a position when they fail to deliver in whatever organization. Take the same Trinidadian and place him in an overseas organization and he automatically knows what the expectation is. E.g., the present Police Commissioner and the spike of murders currently taking place.

    Treason is actionable and failing to support a law abiding national at a tender age in a foreign land is just as actionable. At the same time if you shroud yourself in biblical histrionics to justify your call and calling for facts then may I suggest, go have a chat with Kellyanne Conway for ‘alternative facts’.

    Notably, you seem to be caught up with anti Indian sentiments rather profusely than accepting the terms of ‘tribalism’ and looking at the whole picture. I am afraid I cannot help you here. That’s your call. What I do know when you are on the operating table and you need blood transfusion you do not have a say as to which tribe’s blood you have to receive at the moment because it is not your call there and then. QED.

    1. …failing to support a law abiding national at a tender age in a foreign land is just as actionable.

       My objection was to your charge of tribalism as the reason for the failure. Common sense — and also the rule of law — dictates that in all fairness one should address the actual wrong committed, not the imagined wrong for which no evidence exists.

       Our failure in that regard, is partly why we are a “brek up brek down” society. The Hatfields and McCoy’s have been feuding for generations in the hill country of West Virginia. Few remember how the feud even got started. Rasta City and Muslims here in T&T are feuding also, and according to the MP for the area, Fitz-Gerald Hinds, no one remembers why. But tit for tat keeps the problem boiling.

       Bim for bam is the same disease. If you want to avoid it, as you imply, you need to stay in your batting crease. Don’t take a failure of an insouciant bureaucracy and distort it into tribalism. That is a worse wrong than the first.

       I call you out on it because:

       “Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him.” (Leviticus 19:17)

       The point is to reach an amicable settlement, not to keep the feud going. That btw was the concept behind the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in South Africa. Note that “truth” is the sine qua non of “reconciliation”. Without truth, the “brek up brek down” maladies will continue.

       The concept is simple. Why do you pretend not to get it?

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