By Stephen Kangal
October 26, 2007

There is widespread consensus among more than 75% of the electorate that indicated that the current PNM Administration has failed T&T again. With windfall energy revenues derived from our second oil bonanza they could not provide caring, effective, transparent and accountable governance to the people of Trinidad and Tobago. They are not up to the task of governing equitably in a plural society to the benefit of all the diverse people of T&T. South of the Caroni River, inter alia, is now isolated, endangered and neglected even though our patrimony comes from there.
Continue reading Some Issues and Ideas Confronting the Electorate →

By Dr. Kwame Nantambu
October 21, 2007

While Dr. Selwyn Ryan should be lauded for his “Trinidad elections of 2007” survey that was published in The Daily Express on 17 October 2007, however, there were certain outdated, rejected and expunged societal references/classifications of people that this writer felt compelled not only to correct but also to put in their historical context for the edification of the general TnT population.
Continue reading Updating historical societal classifications →

by Raffique Shah
Sunday, October 21st 2007

Basdeo Panday, Patrick Manning and Winston Dookeran

If only politicians on all sides of the divide would stick to the facts, given the “goods” they have on each other, or on individual targets, they could sway people’s opinions infinitely more than when they spew lies like a person purged. In fact, because character assassination and mauvais langue are easier for not-too-bright speakers to use, these are rampant on almost every platform. And please, don’t confuse the above with “picong”, which is good Trini humour that teases and tickles crowds, hence invaluable to good speakers. The late Dr. Eric Williams was a master of picong. Pretenders to Eric’s throne have no sense of humour. They are mere comics.
Continue reading Lies, damn lies and politics →

Fitzgerald Hinds and Keith Rowley

Party insiders accuse political leader and Prime Minister Patrick Manning of attempting to remake both the party and the system of government to perpetuate his own brand of leadership. They contend that the Manning-conducted purge of the new PNM old guard has more to do with a perceived lack of loyalty to the leader than to any popularity contest.

There are claims too of a failed Manning attempt to attack, by proxy, his main political rival in the PNM and MP for Diego Martin West, Dr Keith Rowley. Insiders believe that Manning was part of a conspiracy to take Rowley out on the Landate affair.
Continue reading The Manning factor in the mix →

By Raffique Shah
October 14, 2007

Money, even politicians will tell you, is the root of all evil. After all, ever since this country’s coffers were boosted by oil dollars back in the 1950s, many an elected member has been accused of stealing from the public purse. When Dr. Eric Williams came on the electoral scene in 1956, one charge he used to crush the burly “Bertie” Gomes with was corruption. Shortly after he was put in charge of the Treasury, Williams would himself be accused of corruption. Or, more accurately, that he harboured corrupt ministers and underlings.
Continue reading Kamla takes the cake…icing et al →

By Michael De Gale
October 12, 2007

Mr. Manning’s decision to turf the party’s deadweight and replace them with a seemingly talented young group free of political baggage and eager to prove themselves, was a demonstration of decisive leadership, political fortitude and foresight. For too long, the PNM had been burdened with parasites, dinosaurs and political opportunists, who were nothing but an Albatross around the party’s neck, weak links, millstones, liabilities and losers. For this bold and courageous move Mr. Manning should be loudly applauded.
Continue reading Good Governance Forever →