Once again fear rules and we lose
Posted: Wednesday, January 30, 2002
by Bukka Rennie
The biggest betrayal of people, in our Caribbean history, has to be the failure of the Panday regime to have transformed or at least to have initiated the process of transforming Caroni and the sugar industry.
We were saying from the very beginning that this regime had to shoulder this responsibility as its historic mission. All social organisations possess an historic responsibility.
When the PNM came in 1956 its historic purpose was a national agenda to rid the society of colonial, social and political infrastructure, to bring home rule, to liberate the education system and later to at least initiate a process of economic transformation. MORE
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Play it again, maestro
Posted: Wednesday, January 30, 2002
by Terry Joseph
RESULTS of the inaugural steelband competition (1963) were not disclosed until February 27, Ash Wednesday that year, for fear earlier release might have triggered Carnival day conflicts among over-zealous supporters.
Interestingly, the Woodbrook Invaders protested those results, saying Commander LD Mc Donald, one of three judges assigned was not yet seated when the band received a commencement signal.
George Goddard, president of the Steelbands Association, countered by telling Invaders they began playing before the appointed time. It was first manifestation of an annual joust that has become part of Panorama culture and at the turn of the eighties, sophisiticated itself into the more civilised process of taking such differences to court. MORE
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Some advice for PM on probes, reforms
Posted: Tuesday, January 29, 2002
This is an open letter to Patrick Manning.
At the moment you are a Prime Minister without a Parliament. But sooner than later the UNC and its leader will get the message. That dialogue and compromise are the only options for solving the problem of a non-functioning Parliament.
On your shoulders however rests full responsibility for certain reforms and investigations, and it is up to you to convince the leader of the UNC that this is not a time for elections or to further divide the people, but for co-operation in pursuing those priorities.
In spite of the public huff and puff, give him space and opportunity to retrieve the Crowne Plaza atmosphere if is at all possible. And give recognition to his 18 seats.
In so far as the question of advisors to police investigations into corruption is concerned, ignore criticisms coming from a former colleague, Keith Sobion, the head of the Police Service Commission and former Police Commissioner Jules Bernard. MORE
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Savannah Party Scores
Posted: Tuesday, January 29, 2002
by Terry Joseph
It was cheers for the 11 bands that advanced to the Carnival Saturday night final of this year’s Panorama competition and tears for more than a few that were eliminated, after the semi-final round finished around 1 am yesterday.
Dubbed the Savannah Party, the 33-band playoff started just 40 minutes late but stretched for some 13 hours. Officials of reigning champion Exodus were taken aback by not being marked although the band performed for the judges. They were not required to but simply maintained a tradition of coming to the playoff, where judges’ remarks served as guidance for the final round.
Having survived two attempts by excluded bands to stop the show through legal maneouvres Pan Trinbago president Patrick Arnold said the day was a success. "We have a lot of things to look at, but after looking at the outcome we are for the most part pleased," he said. "We have taken careful notes for our post-mortem." MORE
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Small turnout at Preddie's funeral
Posted: Tuesday, January 29, 2002
By Jada Loutoo - Newsday
He inspired many. But only a handful were present yesterday to celebrate the life of calypso and extempo icon, Lord Pretender (Alric Farrell).
Preddie, as he was affectionately known, died at his Nelson Street, Port-of-Spain, home last Wednesday. He was 85. He never married, and had no children.
Fans and contemporaries trickled past the mahogany casket to catch a glimpse of Preddie, dressed in a grey suit, red shirt, blue tie and his trademark felt hat, one of which was on his head while another lay on the casket.
Imprinted on the satin lining of the casket was an airbrushed picture of the fallen icon in his hey-day and the words "Never ever worry" a line of his most popular tune.
Preddie was described as a "meticulous calypso purist and lyricist of the highest order" in the funeral programme.
In an almost empty Trinity Cathedral, calypsonians the likes of former Monarch Singing Sandra (Sandra Des Vignes), Brother Resistance (Lutalo Masimba) and former Junior Culture Minister Winston "Gypsy" Peters, among others, spoke of the times Preddie inspired and assisted them in their careers.
Brother Resistance said it was difficult to illustrate in words the power and stature of Preddie's career which "stayed consistently great". He spoke of Pretender's initial ignorance of rapso and his eventual acceptance of it as "the poetry of calypso".
In song, Singing Sandra recounted the many times Pretender offered his assistance and in true extempo style Gypsy told of how Preddie inspired him and others.
Junior Culture Minister Eddie Hart described the late bard as "the master of the artform" and wondered if we appreciated the commitment of lost artistes.
Hart said a Cultural Hall of Fame, a Foundation for Arts and a Centre for the Performing Arts would be established.
Holding the Minister to his word, celebrant Dean Knolly Clarke, lamented that venues such as the Jean Pierre Complex were not for calypsonians. He chastised the national community for keeping silent and not championing the cause for a dedicated centre to perform.
Dean Clarke suggested that a day be set aside in remembrance of fallen icons and recommended that a calypso scholarship be given in the name of great cultural icons.
He said he was concerned about the hardships artistes face in their days of need.
Preddie's nephew, Ruthven Farrell, said while Preddie received many awards and accolades, including the National Calypso King title in 1957, the National Medal of Merit in 1972 and the Humming Bird Gold Medal in 1994, his greatest award, was that given by Alcohol Anonymous for 42 years of being alcohol free.
Among those present at the funeral service included nephews Ruthven and Irwin Farrell, niece Allison Pariag, and members of the calypso fraternity.
Prior to the service, which started almost 45 minutes late, Preddie's casket was open for public viewing at the Port-of-Spain City Hall. He was buried at Western Cemetery, St James.
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Renegades Junior wows them at pan ‘prelims’
Posted: Tuesday, January 29, 2002
By Sean Nero - Newsday
In the scorching post-noon sun at the start of Junior Panorama 2002 yesterday BP Renegades Youth Steel Orchestra delivered an impressive preliminary performance in its bid for a place in the final that left supporters roaring.
Led by Aaronne De Souza, the two-year old outfit — offspring of celebrated senior Panorama champion BP Renegades — showed it had inherited the flair and musical excitement for which the parent band is synonymous for, at its debut at the junior pan competition; its first competition appearance ever.
A cast of 62 young pannists took centre-stage —in the contest produced by the Youth Arm of Pan Trinbago — at its headquarters located at 138 Charlotte Street, Port-of-Spain around 1.50 pm to deliver an Amrit Samaroo arrangement of Preacher's "Duhlahin" before a panel of roving adjudicators.
They included Harold Headley Earl Brooks and Seion Gomez.
Speaking to Newsday Edmund Willis, director of the Renegades Youth Steel Orchestra said he was proud of the band.
"Our regular drummer Kareem Romain is hospitalised and his brother Kaaron who played percussion, had to fill the void.
Then we had to move Aaron Franklin from the cello pan to play percussion.
Nevertheless, it was a performance that warranted any -body to be proud."
Willis described as exciting the mood of the junior pannists before they perform.
"They were happy because they took the decision on the tune-of-choice.
Adding to their mood was the overwhelming support from the senior band members, their parents and members of the community," he continued.
The list of bands performing at yesterday's programme included Merrytones Junior, St James Government, South East Port-of-Spain Government and Success Stars Pan Sounds.
Competition in this segment of the National Panorama 2002, continues today with performances to be heard from St Augustine Senior Comprehensive, El Dorado Senior Comprehensive, Arima United and Gary Strakers Pan School.
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Race to Road March
Posted: Tuesday, January 29, 2002
Naya George's "Trinidad" still in the race.
By Peter Ray Blood
Can you believe it: only two more weekends to go before J'Ouvert morning? Seems like it was just yesterday we were having another kind of mas, after the announcement of the December 10 general election date.
As I have cautioned in this year's Road March Derby, "it ain't over 'til the fisherman from Point sings," and has he been singing this week on the airwaves.
Of course, I am referring to SuperBlue and his "Peace Party" and "Twinkle."
Chinese Laundry hopes to be celebrating soon.
In many of last weekend's parties, for some mysterious reason, there seemed to be a halt to Ronnie McIntosh's "Run."
Hopefully an explanation will emerge before Carnival, but I still feel the song is strong enough to be considered a major contender on the road at the Road March judging points. MORE
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Rikki Jai scores Chutney Soca hat-trick
Posted: Monday, January 28, 2002
By Clint Chan Tack Newsday
Three in a row, that's the way it went for Rikki Jai when he successfully retained the Chutney Soca Monarch crown at the 2002 Chutney Soca Monarch Grand Finals at Skinner Park, San Fernando on Saturday night.
By the time the results were announced around 3 am yesterday, it was an exhausted but happy Jai who claimed the winner's cheque of $100,000 and reclaimed the title he has held for the past two years.
The show which began around 8 am, saw all 19 contestants using different combinations of fireworks, dancing girls and special effects in a bid to claim the coveted crown.
However Jai was unstoppable in these departments, as he appeared in an all-white turban and suit at the foot of the stage for his first round performance and was backed up by a bevy of beautiful dancers in white saris.
He pulled out all the stops with his second musical offering "the Hammock", dressed in suit decorated with artificial lights.
Backed up by his dancers, moko jumbies and flag wavers, Jai drove the thousands of patrons assembled in the park wild and paved his way to the title.
Devanand Gattoo and Drupatee Ramgoonai Persad took second and third place respectively.
While many expected Preacher (Barnet Henry) to pose a serious threat to Jai, and he gave a credible performance of his popular "Dulahin" song, it was not enough to earn the judges' nod nor place within the top three.
Heerlal Rampartap was chauffered onstage aboard a motorcycle but his performance seemed to run out of gas long before he began his quest to dethrone Jai.
Marva McKenzie and Kenny Supersad added political flavour to the proceedings with their songs of "Two-faced neemakharam" and "Manningitis" respectively.
However they both performed long before Prime Minister Patrick Manning arrived to take in the festivities. Throughout the evening and into early yesterday morning, the crowd filled all parts of the park and even heavy showers around 2 am failed to move them as they absorbed the action on stage.
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Bunji Garlin stars at Soca Monarch show
Posted: Monday, January 28, 2002
By Gary Cardinez Newsday
The semi-finals of the tenth International Soca Monarch provided high spirited entertainment for the massive crowd that turned up at Guaracara Park, Point-a-Pierre on Saturday. From the word go Benjai came on stage to the roar of the crowd and had them singing "Over and Over". He was followed by Barbadian Rupee who continued where Benjai left off but this time Rupee took the audience a bit higher with "I Will Be There". Had he performed in his allotted third spot Iwer George would have had the ideal opportunity to "mash up" but he did not. He chose to wait for his brother's band Invasion to take the stage to back him up. Make no mistake Fay-Ann Lyons is the brightest light to have emerged in this years competition.
The sexy daughter of six-time Soca Monarch Superblue, knows how to work a crowd and with a song like "My Turn Now" she will be a hit in this competition. The younger Lyons had the park jumping, prancing and singing along as she performed.
When Naya George performed his "Trinidad" the response was not as enthusiastic as one would have expected but that could well be because of what Fay-Ann Lyons did before. Iwer was his usual self and there is no stopping him. His "Gimme A Bligh" has placed him in the finals without a doubt.
But the star of the night was no lesser person than Bunji Garlin, who was on a high from just performing at his sold out Children's Concert. A confident Garlin ripped the place apart with his performance of "In The Ghetto". And to add insult to injury Garlin extempoed a verse about a run in he had with the police last week, the response from the crowd was awesome.
Denise Belfon was also well appreciated but the surprise of the night was Superblue, who must have had to dig deep to perform a song that is relatively new and get the reaction he got.
There seems to be no writing off this "soca demon".
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Calypso Queen contest tonight
Posted: Monday, January 28, 2002
Fifteen singers will compete in the semi-final round of the Calypso Queen Competition put on by the Trinbago Unified Calypsonian Organisation tonight.
Now in its third year the competition takes place at the De Luxe Entertainment centre where nine singers will be chosen to compete against the reigning queen.
The prize structure for this competition is very attractive with the winner taking $50,000. Second place $35,000, third $25,000, fourth $15,000, fifth $10,000 and 6th-10th $5,000.
Competitors in the semi-final round are former calypso Monarch Singing Sandra, Singing Sonia, Lady Paula, Muga Gill, Princess Monique, Marcia Miranda, Leslie Ann Ellis, Heather Mc Intosh, Lady Wonder, Abbi Blackman-Thornhill, Kizzie Ruiz, Karen Eckles, Jiselle Carter, Golden and Maria Bhola. Paulette Simon and Joanne Foster are reserves.
The action kicks off at 8 pm.
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Unofficial Results of Panorama Semi-Finals
Posted: Monday, January 28, 2002
11 Bands that will challenge reigning Panorama Champs Exodus.
1. Neal & Massy T’dad All Stars – 466
2. Petrotrin Phase II Pan Groove – 458
3. Witco Desperadoes – 456.5
4. TCL Group Skiffle Bunch – 455.5
5. Solo Pan Knights – 449
6. Tropical Angel Harps – 448
7. BP Renegades – 446.5
8. Trinmar Hatters – 444
9. Redemption Sound Setters – 443
10. PCS Starlift – 441.5
11. InnCogen Pamberi – 440
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Party now start - Hollis Wright's 'Music for the Soul' a favourite
Posted: Sunday, January 27, 2002
Semi-Finalist for the Panorama Competition
By Terry Joseph
FOR most Carnival lovers, today signals the "official" commencement of the festival.
The top 33 conventional steel orchestras in Trinidad and Tobago square off for 11 available places against reigning champions Exodus in the final round of the Panorama competition at the Queen's Park Savannah.
Dubbed the Savannah Party, today's round begins at 1 pm. Pan Trinbago is predicting a smooth flow of bands with "the best quality music available at this time", according to pan boss Patrick Arnold.
From yesterday, pan music aficionados began preparing for the event, the first major activity at the Queen's Park Savannah for Carnival 2002 and for many, the start of a countdown to the adult Parade of the Bands, which brings the festival to a climax on February 11 and 12.
Some of their long-standing traditions have been curtailed. This time pan fans will have to settle for regulation size coolers (maximum 30"x24") and avoid carrying bottled beverage-all for security reasons. Parking arrangements are also different from seasons past, with a tariff of $15 being applied upon entry to the Savannah.
The National Carnival Commission (NCC), custodians of the Savannah venue, is offering an enhanced aesthetic through the courtesy of Royal Bank, which has undertaken the decoration of approaches to the Grand Stand and other areas at an advertised cost of some $125,000.
Having declared this edition of the festival a tribute to the traditional King Sailor portrayal, a 15-foot high representation will be mounted outside the Grand Stand. Flambeaux and waterworks are to be included as the season progresses.
In the concourse under the Grand Stand, a display tantamount to a mini Carnival museum has been installed, featuring depictions of traditional costumes and festival history, with pictures ranging from the Lorry Mas of 1932, through Esther Theodore's winning Queen of Carnival costume Cleopatra from 1962 to latter day portrayals.
Special care is being taken to ensure reserved seating remains available only to those who booked or bought such tickets and new gates installed at the Grand Stand are being depended upon to help increase control of access and egress.
On-stage bands will each play for ten minutes their calypso of choice, enhanced by variations and interludes that often provide additional triggers for an audience expected to top 15,000. At noon yesterday, a steady flow of ticket purchasers coursed through Pan Trinbago's Ariapita Avenue offices, indicating a bumper patronage.
Participating bands have agreed to a number of punitive devices to ensure a swifter process. Bands are required to be in the holding bay east of the stage when the previous participant is performing, or lose five points in lieu.
Any steelband not proceeding to the judging area upon receiving the signal will be fined $2,000 and one point for each minute of further delay. The same applies to bands refusing to move quickly offstage at the end of their performances.
For the first time, no payment for transportation will accrue to bands, a saving to Pan Trinbago of some $1.5 million. The elimination process that in years previous brought a larger number of bands to the Savannah has been side-stepped by panyard judging at the preliminary stage, an activity that brought thousands of pan fans to the yards during the past week.
From the agreed panel of judges, a group of seven shall be selected by ballot immediately preceding today's playoffs, with two additional adjudicators kept in the line-up to serve as alternates in the event their services are required as replacements.
In all cases, the highest and lowest marking for each band shall be discarded. Arrangement and general performance will each attract 40 points, with tone and rhythm equally sharing the remainder.
Top favourite among the bands is Hollis Wright's "Music for the Soul", which is being played by five orchestras. De Fosto's "Firestorm" and "The Mecca" have, in the sum, secured four plays, while newcomer Natalie Yorke, singing Len "Boogsie" Sharpe's "Do What You Want" will be heard three times, as will Eunice Peters' "Colours", Preacher's "Dulahin" and songs sung by Tunapuna Scanty.
Tickets priced at $80 and $100 will be available at the gates from 11 a.m, two hours before showtime.
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34 steelbands in the Savannah today
Posted: Sunday, January 27, 2002
Semi-Finalist for the Panorama Competition
By Sean Nero
Will the atmosphere at today's National Panorama competition taking place at the "Big Yard" Queen's Park Savannah, Port-of-Spain be any different from previous years?
Will the consumption of pelau, with a piece of macaroni pie, crab and callaloo, salads and other side dishes or maybe just bake and shark accompanied by the guzzling of cold beverages taste any different? These are the questions on everyone's mind as the perennial pan contest comes off at the Savannah — starting with the conventional semi-final round and not the preliminaries as is tradition — heralding the start of Carnival-styled activities and competitions from 11 am.
On the original calendar of events for Carnival 2002, January 27, marked the commencement of Carnival with the sweet sound of pan pervading the air. That was preceded by a radical and controversial move by Pan Trinbago, to have the staging of the opening round of competition in the pan yards of participating bands or their immediate catchment area.It was the first major change to the programme in its 39-year history. Even with all the criticism levelled against the new Panorama format effected by Pan Trinbago — for the preliminary round only — pan aficionados could not restrain themselves from going to the respective panyards of contestants to receive the performances.
With that hurdle crossed and the 34 qualifying bands selected — one more than indicated following the decision by reigning champion Exodus to make a guest appearance — attention will now be paid to creating the euphoria that is customary at the Queen's Park Savannah. In its effort to maximise the occasion Pan Trinbago has billed today's programme as a "Savannah Party".
Speaking to Sunday Newsday, Patrick Arnold, president of Pan Trinbago said patrons can expect nothing but the best.
"As they say the cream of the crop," was how he described today's bill of activities.
Arnold continued: "Usually only the northern and eastern bands are heard on the first Sunday of Panorama, at the Savannah, since the south/central and Tobago zones held their preliminary round before and after respectively. This time around steelbands from the north, east, south /central and Tobago are coming together on the same day; the best in the country.
"I don't think this has ever happened before on the first pan major pan show at the Savannah."
The Pan Trinbago executive stated that all along the national community thought that the steelband body wasn't going to the Savannah to give the people the usual Sunday pan treat.
"Now they see that we had intended to give them what they wanted all along. And with the co-operation of the bands, we hope that the programme would move swiftly. But I want to encourage patrons to arrive earlier at the Savannah. Bands don't like playing first because the crowd doesn't reach early enough.
"Once steelbands recognise they have no large crowd to play for they are going to do everything possible to delay the programme until they are pleased with the number of people in the audience. Then the public says Pan Trinbago started the show late. It is the audience who must now recognise that their role and arrive earlier to spur on bands. We have 34 bands at today's show."
Arnold emphasised that pan patrons were now getting a party, since they would receive more polished performances from a wider range of bands. He made reference to last year's Panorama competition, held over two days, featuring steelbands from all over Trinidad, yet no one came to the Saturday programme, even though most of the top bands played on the Saturday.Admission for North Stand patrons will cost $100.
The Grand Stand Box area carries the same price tag. However, general admission for Grand Stand is priced at $80. When contacted Ainsworth Mohammed, deputy chairman of the National Carnival Commission (NCC) said no chairs would be provided for this round of the Panorama competition in order to maintain the liming atmosphere.
"All things are in place. Things are looking good. We have increased security and special meetings were convened with the respective security firms with particular attention being paid to courtesy towards patrons. We are doing all we can to make the atmosphere an inviting one where people can relax and enjoy themselves.
East zone-based Curepe Scherzando will strike the first musical note on the day's activities playing Unice Peters' "Colours". They will be followed by former National Panorama Champion Nu Tones who will perform Preacher's "Duhlahin."
Playing positions eight to 15 will feature some of the competitions hot-tickets such as WITCO Desperadoes Steel Orchestra, BP Renegades, and defending champion Exodus.
TT Newsday
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Now Angel Harps moves to stop semis
Posted: Sunday, January 27, 2002
UP TO late last night, officials of Arima Angel Harps were in court seeking an injunction against Pan Trinbago to stop today’s Panorama semi-finals.
Application for the injunction was filed by attorney Gizelle Russell while attorney Adrian Alexander is representing Pan Trinbago.
Presiding judge was Humphrey Stollmeyer.
The band is protesting the rainy conditions under which they played in the preliminaries, claiming they were not allowed to dry their pans. There were also puddles of water where they played which was not conducive to playing, the band said.
The band's manager Gary Raymond and captain Melvin Collinwood were in court last night.
Sangre Grande Cordettes, who threatened on Friday to file an injunction to stop today’s competition, had not done so up to last night.
The band is alleging that the judges’ score sheets were tampered with, that original scores were changed and that different handwriting was evident on the score sheet. It is also claiming that another judge’s score sheet showed evidence of other scores being superimposed over the original score.
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You, go girl...
Posted: Sunday, January 27, 2002
By Donna Yawching
THIS week, I feel as if I should share my paltry paycheque with about 30 strangers. That's how many people answered my call for a new political party two Sundays ago; and their responses constitute the backbone of today's column. Not just as a boost to my own inflated ego, but because it seems to me that these diverse voices speak for a nation; and their words are instructive, to say the least.
I invited responses out of sheer curiosity: I was prepared for anything from zero replies to an avalanche. This is T&T, after all: land of the unpredictable. The bad news for my would-be supporters is that 27 votes (three of the replies were negative) are not quite enough to guarantee a landslide victory! So it's unlikely that I'll hit the hustings anytime soon. MORE
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The horse's mouths
Posted: Sunday, January 27, 2002
By Denis Solomon
IN MY column on Wednesday I likened the attempts to find constitutional solutions for political problems to prescriptive as opposed to analytic grammar. Former Independent Senator Professor John Spence, the Undine Giuseppi of Parliament, continues his attempts to refute my claim that the ministers appointed by Patrick Manning should not be paid.
I said this a couple of weeks ago, and later agreed with the Solicitor General that no one who hadn't taken the parliamentary oath of allegiance could be appointed a Minister. I condemned the Attorney General for bullshitting the public by saying that the ministerial oath incorporated the parliamentary one.
Professor Spence telephoned me to say that what made someone a Member of Parliament wasn't the oath, but the instruments of appointment issued by the President, and the person in question could therefore be made a minister. MORE
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Politicking caused Caroni woes
Posted: Sunday, January 27, 2002
by Raffique Shah
FORGIVE me if I take this as a personal insult to both my intelligence and integrity, but I refuse to allow the Board of Directors of Caroni Limited and the ex-UNC government to sully the characters of 15,000 sugar workers and cane farmers. To have the nation believe that these stakeholders of the ailing sugar industry are responsible for the sorry financial state of the company is unacceptable. Worse, to threaten closure of the industry because of the mountain of sins committed by both the former government and those responsible for running Caroni between 1992-2002, is indefensible.
According to new Agriculture Minister John Rahael, the Board had budgeted for fiscal 2001-2002 for a government subvention of $500 million. The UNC government allocated $144.5 million to the company, $35 million of went towards repayment of a loan, leaving $108.5 million to run Caroni between October 2001 and September 2002. Bear in mind that the company's revenue from selling an average of 90,000 tonnes of sugar is around $225 million. Rahael also revealed that the company's current debt stands at close to $2 billion-probably the biggest debt stock for any organisation outside the central government. MORE
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Benjai leads off Soca Monarch semis today
Posted: Saturday, January 26, 2002
The Carib Soca Monarch semi-finals take place at Guaracara Park today. The order of appearance for contestants follows:
1. Benjai
2. Rupee
3. Iwer George
4. Slimmy
5. SW Storm
6. Natalie Yorke
7. Impulse
8. Celtic Invasion
9. Preacher
10. Bert
11. Ward One
12. Billy Kid
13. Fay-Ann Lyons
14. Naya George
15. Flava
16. KMC
17. Double D
18. Rikki Jai
19. Bunji Garlin
20. Crazy
21. Xposer
22. Onika Bostic
23. Tallpree
24. Drupatee & AC
25. Edwin Charles
26. Destra Garcia
27. Shurwayne Winchester
28. Blaxx
29. Rocky & Ghetto Flex
30. Super Blue
31. Jason Williams
32. Strongy
33. Sean Caruth
34. Super P
35. Maximus Dan
36. Rootsman
37. Knycky Cordner
38. Roger George
39. Farmer Nappy
40. Derrick Seales
41. Treason
42. Denise Belfon
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Despers - last to play - but ends at the top
Posted: Saturday, January 26, 2002
By Sean Nero
An early morning performance from Laventille-based WITCO Desperadoes Steel Orchestra has slotted the band comfortably in the lead among northern based contestants in Pan Trinbago preliminary round of the National Panorama Competition 2002.
Playing Clive Bradley's arrangement of Candy Hoyte's "Savannah on Fire" on Thursday night the ten-time National Panorama champions scored 473 points.
The "so called" big guns, in this region, were bunched together in the top four places, going into Sunday's semi-final round of competition by order of points.
Following in second place was Neal and Massy Trinidad All Stars Steel Orchestra, which earned 467 points for its musical presentation of Leon "Smooth" Edwards' arrangement of De Fosto "Fire Storm." The band also appeared before the panel of roving adjudicators on Thursday night.
In the eastern region where no scores were issued to the media names such as Potential Symphony and Fascinators Pan Symphony have made the list for semi-final appearance, while popular band Sangre Grande Cordettes did not qualify. The band has since filed an injunction to stop Panorama.
The southern/central and Tobago regions presentation of results for qualifying steel orchestras also excluded the marks earned by the divisional competitors. Among those advancing in the south to the second round of the coveted pan contest are Couva Joylanders and Southern Marines Steelband Foundation.
These were the bands that were not judged as billed last Monday, caused by inclement weather and had their musical exhibition re-scheduled.
The Tobago qualifiers are Redemption Sound Setters, Carib Dixieland and Our Boys.
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Travel Channel, Geographic to film TT's Carnival
Posted: Saturday, January 26, 2002
The Travel Channel and National Geographic Channel will be in Trinidad and Tobago this Carnival season thanks to the efforts of TIDCO and one of its overseas Public Relations offices.
The Travel Channel will be filming Carnival for a Caribbean fun-focused series. The crew will also be filming Tobago for a show on the Caribbean's top ten beaches.
The National Geographic Channel will film four five-minute features. These mini documentaries will capture footage on Trinidad's rich wildlife and culture focusing specifically on bats and snakes and calypsonians, costume designers and Carnival.
Over the last three years, more than 75 top North American journalists have visited Trinidad and Tobago through the efforts of TIDCO, bringing close to US$10 million worth of coverage. The Travel Channel will be the third high-rated station to visit the destination in just three years.
"Through The Travel Channel and National Geographic Channel we will reach more people in the United States and around the world than we could ever afford to via advertising," said Dr Carla Noel, Vice President and Director of Tourism at TIDCO. "Advertising on television can cost as much as US$30,000 for a 30-second spot. Our public relations agency has secured two outstanding shows - the positive impact and value is immeasurable."
In addition, the benefit of hosting groups such as these is filtered down to small operators as reflected in Travel Channel's decision to have Banwari Experience, managed and owned by Andrew Welch, a member of the Trinidad and Tobago Incoming Tour Operators Association, take care of setting up their interviews and guiding their itinerary during this year's festivities.
Cheryl Andrews Marketing, the public relations agency for TIDCO, has increased awareness of Trinidad and Tobago through its relationships with the North American media and via strategic alliances.
In 2001 alone, Cheryl Andrews Marketing secured more than US$3 million in editorial coverage in the growing and critically important North American market.
Cheryl Andrews Marketing is credited with bringing top television stations and shows including E! Entertainment Television and Exotic Islands to the country. The agency has also secured coverage in top newspapers such as the New York Times, magazines including the January 2002 issue of Conde Nast Traveler and webzines, web sites and other media that reach the American audience.
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Savannah Party
Posted: Saturday, January 26, 2002
by Terry Joseph
Enthusiasm for Sunday's pan play-off at the Queen's Park Savannah is being reflected in unprecedented requests for advance tickets, according to Pan Trinbago.
"This is extraordinary. The tickets came in from Canada only this week," pan president Patrick Arnold said yesterday, "but people have been calling from ever since, for tickets to the Savannah Party."
And people were asking about the format too, thinking perhaps that the panyard judging of the preliminary round had scuttled the Savannah Party.
"It is not for want of effort on our part to sensitise the pan population to the new format," Arnold said. "We have been preaching up and down the place that Sunday January 27 is on and we expect to be able to present a much improved product this year. MORE
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Despers tops North Zone prelims
Posted: Friday, January 25, 2002
NEARLY every driver in the huge convoy snaking around Port of Spain behind Panorama judges on Thursday night feared gridlock traffic horrors at their final destination and many avoided going up Laventille Hill to hear the Witco Desperadoes.
Consequently, it was smooth running up the narrow and winding road to the panyard of the ten-time Panorama champions. Parking was a lark and, unlike other venues where the judges had a hard time getting through the crowd, it was a virtual walk-through at the Desperadoes panyard.
For those who went the full distance, it was a long night, beginning at 6 p.m. at Blue Diamonds in George Street. Then it was on to Belmont Fifth Dimension, Casablanca, BP Renegades, Neal & Massy Trinidad All Stars, Carib Tokyo and Courts Laventille Sounds Specialists in the Eastern Quarry before heading to Despers.
Even so, the judges' arrival at the Desperadoes panyard was a mere 30 minutes behind schedule.
The judges arrived at Carib Tokyo at 10.30 p.m. and, for reasons that remained unclear, had to wait until pannists took up positions behind their instruments before the legendary band went into arranger Beverly Griffith's interpretation of David "Happy" Williams' "The Prize" at 10.41 p.m.
Then it was off to Courts Laventille Sounds Specialists (CLASS) in the Eastern Quarry. Band manager Richard Forteau asked all present to observe a minute of silence for slain band member Paul Melville, a kidnap victim, whose body was on Thursday discovered in a Cunupia canefield.
At signal, CLASS players rushed gleefully out to their playing positions and delved into Seion Gomez's arrangement of "Colours", a Lincoln "Fats" Waldron composition.
It was a magnificent rendition but, alas, not good enough for the judges to place the band in the northern region's top ten and so earn it a place in tomorrow's Savannah Party.
At the final stop, the judges were quickly ushered to their seats.
It was time to play Clive Bradley's arrangement of "Savannah on Fire", a tune written by New York-based Anthony "Pra" Tribuce (with words by Alvin Daniell) and made popular by Eunice Peters.
The hush descended as the ten-minute timer was set ticking. Despers trotted out the notes and chords in a fashion befitting the judges' expectations, bringing them in at the top of the heap in the North Zone at the first stage. The band that played after midnight on the fourth day of adjudication in the region later came out with the highest number of points.
But Desperadoes cannot yet begin celebrations, as the Northern Region will be holding a separate final on Wednesday at the Queen's Park Savannah, when other qualifying bands have another chance to reverse the standings.
QUALIFYING BANDS FOR THE SAVANNAH
North Zone:
Witco Desperadoes, Neal & Massy Trinidad All Stars, Petrotrin Phase II Pan Groove, PCS Starlift, BP Renegades, Carib Tokyo, BWIA Invaders, Merrytones, Silver Stars, Belmont Fifth Dimension.
East Zone:
Exodus, InnCogen Pamberi, Solo Pan Knights, Harmonites, Nu Tones, Parry's Pan School, Scherzando, Birdsong, Fascinators Pan Symphony and Melodians.
Tobago:
Our Boys, Redemption Sound Setters and Dixieland
South/Central:
TCL Group Skiffle Bunch, Trinmar Hatters, Tropical Angel Harps, Deltones, Tornadoes, Claytones, Southern Marines, Couva Joylanders, Fonclair and Southern All Stars.
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Full results of the North Zone preliminaries
Posted: Friday, January 25, 2002
Full results of the North Zone preliminaries for conventional and single-pan bands:
Conventional:
Desperadoes—473
All Stars—467
Phase II—466.5
Renegades—458
Starlift—458
Tokyo—447
Invaders—445
Merrytones—445
Silver Stars—443
Fifth Dimension—432
Sound Specialists—418
Power Stars—417
Casablanca—409
Panatics—407
Valley Harps—399
Blue Diamonds—380
West Stars—329
Single-Pan Bands:
Woodbrook Playboyz—439.5
Laventille Serenaders—437.5
Scrunters Pan Groove—428
World Wide—421
Woodbrook Modernaires—416.5
La Creole—406.5
St James Tripolians—405
Spree Simon—402
Unistars—402
Scorpion Pan Reflections—396.5
Harlem Syncopaters—394.5
Westwind—376.5
Gonzales Sheikers—366.5
Bar 22—359.5
Freelancers—337
Nothing Big—319
D Untouchables—310
Belmont City Kids—278.5
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Only the People Can Provide a Solution to This Crisis
Posted: Thursday, January 24, 2002
by Clyde Weatherhead
At the end of hours of vote counting, both leaders of UNC and PNM mounted their platforms to confirm their complete uselessness to the people's yearning for a way forward for themselves and society.
Their only solution to this continuing crisis of their so-called representative democracy (really a series of contests to put parties in power to implement the programme of the parasitic oligarchy) is more of the same.
Each was demanding that the President put them into office, when neither of them can realistically form a government that will last much longer than a snowball in the fires of hell.
The UNC became sudden converts to convention. The same Basdeo Panday who a year ago brashly denounced convention and pressured the President into appointing a bunch of losers to government now clings to monarchist "precedent" in England to demand that he be reappointed PM. MORE
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Six Tobago bands qualify for Panorama semis
Posted: Thursday, January 24, 2002
WITH results of the six Tobago semi-finalists in both the conventional and Single Pan Band categories of the National Panorama competition 2002 announced, attention now turns to Trinidad for its unveiling.
The results of competition in the sister isle follow three nights of competition, of the four set aside by Pan Trinbago, producer of the event.
Advancing to the semi-final round of the contest in the conventional class are Redemption Sound Setters, Carib Dixieland and Our Boys. In the Single Pan Band division Tobago Panthers, Pan Fanatics and Hope Pan Groovers were among the qualifiers.
However, no scores were given and according to the Tobago region "steelband scores are not presented since they have no relevance to the semi-final stage of this competition. In the circumstances only Tobago Bands qualifying for the National Panorama are presented."
Speaking to Newsday Richard Forteau secretary of Pan Trinbago said the 30 conventional semi-finalists would be announced today.
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Rising cost of Carnival
Posted: Thursday, January 24, 2002
By Ian Gooding
SUPPOSE YOU are a real Carnival lover and want to enjoy every aspect of the celebrations, how much would that cost?
Well, if you start off by attending most of the calypso tents, that could set you back a few hundred dollars, if you have a companion. The tents are charging $75 for special reserve and $40 for general area. So that's between $80 and $150 right there. If you are lucky to get a ticket for Ladies' Night, then you will pay $40 for two tickets at Spektakula and $60 at the other tents.
When it comes to fetes, you have a choice of attending the all-inclusives for between $150 to $300 a ticket. You carry a friend and it doubles.
Other than that you can attend some of the many public fetes and pay $40 for you and your friend and then buy your Carib at $7 a bottle and other alcoholic beverages. That might come to another $80 to $100.
If you want to attend the Panorama semi-finals on Sunday, be prepared to fork out $100 for the North Stand box seats and $80 for the North Stand. Yes, it has gone up again. Remember when it was $20 a few short years ago?
But wait, if you really love pan and would never think of missing the finals on February 9, the Grand Stand Box seats will cost you $250, the general area will be $200, and the forecourt will hit you for $150.
Seating in the North Stand will cost you $100.
But, wait, you do have a choice to hear the best bands in the world for just $5. All you have to do is visit their pan yards. You might want to buy a little bear or Malta while listening, and some nuts.
And now you come into the really big bucks. You want to play mas. If you are a Jouvert freak, you can join one of the many bands around the country for $100, plus money for drinks. You're talking about $150 to $200.
Otherwise you can jump behind any steelband for free and still have fun at a much slower pace.
Then you come to real mas— big costume prices.
Some have them real cheap at less than $1,000, like Funtasia. You can pay with Visa, Mastercard and American Express, if you like.
Then you can really show off and pick up costumes at Hart's Latin Fire from as little (choke, choke) as $935 to $1,400.
Should you like to lime with the big shots on Carnival day, you have to join Poison's Exotica.
That will cost you from a mere $1,100 to $2,100. But that price is an all-inclusive one, with eats and drinks, and hoity-toity company.
So take your pick — you can desire as much as you like or as little as you can afford.
And if cash is a problem, remember that all the commercial banks are offering special Carnival loans to cover all your expenses. As you keep paying back every month for the rest of the year, you will be forced every time to remember what a wonderful Carnival season you had in 2002.
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'Preedie' dies in his sleep
Posted: Thursday, January 24, 2002
by Terry Joseph
ALRIC FARRELL, better known by his calypso sobriquet Pretender, died in his sleep Tuesday night, after battling with a combination of serious illnesses for some time.
"Preedie", as he was fondly called by fellow calypsonians and close friends, was, at 85, said to be the oldest calypsonian alive.
A horse-racing enthusiast, he had been a lifelong friend of the late Grandmaster Kitchener, with whom he shared that passion for the track.
He began singing calypso at age 12, ironically with an ode to a young girl whom he promised to meet on resurrection day, a song he sang at the Redhead Sailor calypso tent. MORE
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Two women in Tobago Soca Final
Posted: Wednesday, January 23, 2002
TWO WOMEN, Sandra Lincoln and Judy Balfour, will challenge defending champion Orion Gordon for the Tobago Soca monarch crown tonight. The Du Maurier-sponsored event will be staged at the Golden Star Hotel.
Also in the line-up will be Orion Richards, who won the Tobago Scouting for Talent in 1996 and placed second in the Tobago Young King competition in 2000 and second in the Tobago Soca Monarch show last year.
Veteran calypsonian Ras Ringo returns from the Revue to compete for the crown. Levi Blake, Marinus Ayers and Prince will also be challenging Gordon. Tomorrow's show is being staged by Spotlight Promotions. Impulse will be putting in a guest appearance. The winner will move on to the semi-finals of the International Soca Monarch competition in Trinidad.
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Business Groups Delivers Ultimatum
Posted: Wednesday, January 23, 2002
11 of this country's largest business groups have delivered an ultimatum to Prime Minister Patrick Manning and UNC political leader Basdeo Panday: meet for immediate dialogue, return to a functioning Parliament or return to the polls.
In a strongly-worded January 21 letter from the American Chamber to Manning and Panday, the groups said: "The country requires an early functioning Parliament to remove the current uncertainty failing which the alternative is fresh elections."
Signed by AmCham president Catherine Kumar, Trinidad Chamber president Raoul John, Bankers Association president Ronald Harford and vice chairman of the Employers Consultative Association W A Hilton-Clarke, the letter was written on behalf of the other business organisations as well.
Concerned that political uncertainty was "negatively impacting our businesses in a very real sense", the groups- stressing they were responsible for the hundreds of thousands of employees-said this "dire situation, if prolonged, has consequences for the country's socio-economic situation as well as its international standing and credibility".
The seeming "paralysis in governance" has resulted in the "inability of Ministers, as indicated by permanent secretaries, to renew licences which existing businesses enjoy", the groups noted as a threat to their operations.
"Against this background, we urge both of you to do your part to end this unacceptable state of affairs in the shortest time possible", so that business can progress subject to parliamentary supervision.
Ensuring a functioning Parliament will "necessitate immediate dialogue between both of you", the groups advised Manning and Panday.
"You both have a very serious joint responsibility to resolve this matter expeditiously," the Chambers further warned. "This is an imperative for national stability and security."
The businesses have invited Manning and Panday to meet on Tuesday to discuss the issues and facilitate dialogue.
In the interim, "there will be a need for an agreement on how the affairs of the country will be conducted to minimise the negative impact".
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Today I'm Captain Bligh
Posted: Wednesday, January 23, 2002
By Terry Joseph
THE well-enshrined concept of giving credit where due may be up for review, especially since ragga-soca high-priest Iwer George abrogated unto himself the authority to demand praises for his contribution to Carnival.
In the twisted tongue of his preferred musical style Iwer's current hit asks his fans for a salute and predictably, wishes their response would take the desired form of hands in the air when he sings the ruse: "Gimme a bligh in the sky."
For those who came in late, a "bligh" is today's description of overt tribute, a hail of greater import than the obsolete "high-five" or yesterday's basic "shout out" or "big-up" variety that a "homie" might send to his "peeps" (people) via conducive radio stations. MORE
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Political pragmatics
Posted: Wednesday, January 23, 2002
By Denis Solomon
The definition of a system is that each part of it supports the others. Tampering with one component disturbs the others and puts the whole structure at risk.
In abstract structures, such as language, often the only way to define a component in the first place is in terms of the others: in a grammatical system composed of elements A, B and C, A is defined as whatever is not B or C, B as whatever is not A or C, and C as whatever is not A or B.
For example, contrary to what generations of teachers have taught and generations of pupils "learnt", English doesn't have a present tense. If you define present tense as a form that invariably designates the moment of speaking, you realise that a form such as "goes" can't be present tense as soon as you encounter the sentence "He goes to Barbados tomorrow". So the real tense opposition in English is between "past" and "non-past". MORE
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No access to favourite pan yards
Posted: Tuesday, January 22, 2002
By Sean Nero
STAUNCH steelband supporters were the chief complainants during Wednesday night's National Panorama competition as they could not gain access to their favourite pan yards.
Loyal fans who showed up at the venue of their bands were denied easy access because of the hordes of people wanting to catch the performance of their bands or rival ones in the new and controversial judging in the pan yard system.
Examples of this were seen at the pan yards of PCS Nitrogen Starlift Steel Orchestra, and Petrotrin Phase II Pan Groove.
While some folks chose to trail the panel of adjudicators others nestled themselves as early as they could to await the arrival of the roving judges at their favourite points.
At Starlift, the situation was so bad that pan enthusiasts climbed the band's trailer — used Carnival Monday and Tuesday on the road —parked outside the premises in hope of seeing over the wall surrounding the pan yard, to capture the mood of the band during its musical exhibition.
With no such elevation at Phase II's headquarters fans simply stayed on the entrance to Damian Street, listening, rather than seeing the band in its moment of glory. The band presented a scintillating rendition of Len "Boogsie" Sharpe's "Do What Yuh Want."
The management of BWIA Invaders, it seemed, recognised the traffic congestion that would have been caused on Tragarete Road and moved to the Queen's Park Oval for judging.
Another cause for disappointment among patrons was the judging of bands ahead of their scheduled time, as was the case at Woodbrook Playboyz.
The band was scheduled to perform at 10.15 pm but five minutes earlier, the judges were busy tallying their scores.
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Unite and let the dogs out
Posted: Tuesday, January 22, 2002
by Bukka Rennie
My heartfelt sympathy goes out to the relatives, friends and pained pupils of the much loved, late teacher of Trincity, Christopher Rollock.
It was reported that early Friday morning his neighbours heard his screams for help, alerting them that he was about to be murdered.
There are many neighbourhoods in T&T today where, in such circumstances, no one will respond positively. Today, most people will seek to secure themselves within their doors and hope for the best.
At least we must pay homage to the people of Cane Farm who came out. It was good they tried as best they knew how to save his life, even though to no avail.
Every effort was made to box the criminals in the house but they were able to shoot and made good their escape. MORE
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Reform - that's what country really needs
Posted: Tuesday, January 22, 2002
By Percy Cezair
An opinion is simply a belief. It is not based on absolute certainty or positive knowledge, but on what seems true, valid or probable to one's own mind.
In law, it may arise from formal advice from lawyers or statements from judges.
Thus two lawyers appearing on either side of a particular case may have two opposing opinions on the interrelation of the law as it relates to that case.
A judge hearing the case may render a judgment which does not coincide with either opinion.
The higher the matter goes on appeal, each of several judges also may have different opinions.
Eventually it becomes a mathematical equation as the opinion of a final majority. MORE
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John must be joking
Posted: Saturday, January 19, 2002
By Raffique Shah
WHEN, last week, EBC commissioner and Chamber of Commerce president Raoul John, summoned a media conference to speak about the alleged negative impact the current political impasse is having on our business and investment climate, I muttered to myself: 'Lord, like dey send him for we!" Because really, ever since this man was foisted on the country by whoever decided to make him spokesman for the EBC, he has become the proverbial pain-in-the-you-know-where for most intelligent people. It is disturbing that a professional in the type of business that is known for its aloofness from controversy would end up sounding like a mindless politician for whom simple reasoning is alien.
John's latest gripe-and he claims he is supported by some 30 CEOs-is that the "political gridlock is discouraging investors". Listen to John "ramajay": "Even if Trinidad and Tobago could have weathered the storm (presumably the global economic downturn) for sometime, the current political crisis has compromised that position. Foreign investors, faced with global risks in a more uncertain world, are now reluctant to face additional local risks and have been adopting a wait and see approach." Asked by alert reporters who exactly were these "reluctant investors", neither John nor his Chamber colleagues ventured to name one. MORE
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Dead Zone
Posted: Saturday, January 19, 2002
By Donna Yawching
THERE'S an interesting thing about our court system: it is the most effective route imaginable to total self-marginalisation. It's a kind of dead zone: once you enter it, you drop off the radar, as far as the rest of the world is concerned. The general public may be mildly curious about the final result; but supremely uninterested in the actual process. It is, to use a famous (and as it happens, appropriate) quote, a case of "Wake me up when it's over."
This thought occurred to me recently when I heard Basdeo Panday (he of the famous quote) say that the UNC would be going to court to argue the illegality and unconstitutional nature of Patrick Manning's government. As soon as Panday uttered those words, I suspect that the UNC ceased to exist for much of the population. All of a sudden, it no longer feels like a political entity to be taken seriously: it's just a bunch of cranks huffing and puffing about arcane matters in an abstract forum. MORE
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Leave Panday Alone
Posted: Saturday, January 19, 2002
Dear Editor
I would like to tell the nation that they should leave Mr Panday alone. He never promised anything different from what he is delivering right now.
He told the world in his address before ex US President Bill Clinton, that there was 'only two ways' to leave Political high office. After all he was totally unaware or could not care less about 'two other ways', voluntary resignation and presidential discretion under the Westminister system.
More significantly he also said for all to hear that the Opposition duty is to oppose and not to make a Government look good. Then what about "any unity must be on a UNC bed". So please Trinidad leave Mr Panday alone, he has the unbelievable ability of making Mr Manning look good. Unless God intervenes the immediate future looks bleak for all of us.
Kurt Garcia
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Dim view of any power sharing
Posted: Thursday, January 17, 2002
Panday! Clang iron and misbehave! You could always rant and rave! You could buy trouble wholesale! You might end up without bail! These lines can be used with the melody of one of the Antiguan Swallow's offerings to describe the reaction to the decision of President Arthur NR Robinson.
What the MP for Couva North said to the crowd at the Ole mas in the Centre of Excellence on December 29, 2001 was contrary to the legal opinion of Professor Bogdanor.
One ought to remind the Silver Fox of his utterance concerning those who walk away from the limited agreement following the 18-18 election result of December 10, 2001.
The present Prime Minister is under flak from political and non-political pundits alike. While that is their right, I hold the dim view that there should not be any power-sharing arrangement. One should not be politically naive to overlook what has become of the National Alliance for Reconstruction (NAR). I want to conclude with a memo that the MP for Fyzabad is mighty aware of who this writer is.
J M JOSEPH
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Those good old fight days
Posted: Wednesday, January 16, 2002
by Bukka Rennie
So what, schoolboys can no longer fight without fatality! Why suddenly in this society there is this great urge and apparent necessity to terminate the existence of an antagonist? Why such little value is placed on human life today? Schoolboys always fought each other. That was so from time immemorial.
The relationships of school in the '40s, '50s and '60s, proved always to be a testing ground of masculine mettle. It was almost like a societal rites of passage.
Every new male presence in the classroom brought a fresh round of testing that might prove to be extensive depending on the toughness of the new person.
The new face had to be assessed, evaluated and placed in rank according to the established pecking order. MORE
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Panorama ‘launch' angers music lovers
Posted: Wednesday, January 16, 2002
by Terry Joseph
Scores of pan music lovers who flocked to the Princes Building grounds on Sunday became upset after realising "The official launch of Panorama 2002" was nothing more than an advertising promotion mounted by an electronics store.
Pan Trinbago's offices were yesterday morning flooded with telephone calls from steelband aficionados expressing disappointment at the absence of live steelband performances at what was widely believed to be the official launch of Panorama 2002.
But Pan Trinbago president Patrick Arnold yesterday said his organisation was not involved in the event and its only contact with the promoters was through a telephone call that invited pan executives to the affair and asked their blessing for the demonstration of a sound system playing pan music exclusively. MORE
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Everybody peepin'
Posted: Wednesday, January 16, 2002
by Terry Joseph
GRENADIAN soca singer Super P must be suitably baffled by the alacrity with which Trinis embraced his song "Peepin", unaware perhaps that he merely provided a soundtrack to an emerging pastime.
Of course, the concept is not new. Like any society, we've always had our fair share of peeping Toms, ranging from sexually motivated voyeurism to harmless neighbourhood "maccoes" who spend their time maliciously monitoring the Joneses.
No one is immune from the temptation to take at least a furtive glance at an attractive person, or ogle the beauty until out of sight. A glimpse of some taboo never hurt anybody either, nor is curiosity unlawful. But recently, the practice assumed a fresh dimension. Suddenly, it seems every activity is under a most punctilious brand of scrutiny, with reproach accruing to those that fail at achieving tribal balance. MORE
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Letter of the law
Posted: Wednesday, January 16, 2002
by Denis Solomon
FORMER senator Martin Daly SC has given Messrs Panday and Manning the advice the President should have given them: get your asses in gear and start thinking about the welfare of the country.
Any effect that Senator Daly's letter has will depend as much on his prestige as on his reasoning (unfortunately, given the mentality of this country, probably much more on the former). As an Independent Senator he has no party axe to grind; and if re-appointment (to a so far non-existent Senate) is considered to be a prize worth having, Mr Daly has shown his lack of concern for that by his implied criticism of the President's decision.
Above all, though, Mr Daly's status as a Senior Counsel confounds all those tin-pot lawyers who, for reasons of illiteracy, wishful thinking, or outright partisanship have agitated on one side or other of the divide. He has also taken a firm stand in opposition to those columnists, editorial writers and political scientologists who, on the non-existent strength of Section 76 (b) of the Constitution, proclaim the legitimacy of the Manning government. MORE
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PM in corruption talks with Ramesh and Karl
Posted: Wednesday, January 16, 2002
TALKS yesterday between Prime Minister Patrick Manning and former Attorneys General Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj and Karl Hudson-Phillips are believed to have focused on the appointment of a Special Prosecutor and on possible evidence to support charges of corruption against former public officials.
For two hours, Manning met with the two men behind closed doors at Whitehall. Also at the meeting was Herbert Atwell, National Security Minister in the NAR administration of 1986-91, a longtime political associate of Hudson-Phillips.
Questioned by reporters as he was being driven from Whitehall, Maharaj would say only that the talks had been “very good”. Maharaj has publicly expressed his willingness to provide his services to the Government in bringing corrupt public officials to justice.
Mystery skeleton in hospital vent
A skeleton was found yesterday in a room at the San Fernando General Hospital. It is believed to have been there for several months.
The room, located near Ward Nine, is on the second floor of the hospital but is hardly ever visited by staff. The discovery was made about 1 p.m. by an electrician who went in to repair an air vent. He found the skeletal remains lying behind a post.
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President gives terse response to Caricom
Posted: Tuesday, January 15, 2002
The Caricom delegation expected to come to Port-of-Spain for talks on the current political situation may be given the "cold shoulder" by President Arthur NR Robinson.
In a tersely worded two paragraph statement yesterday, the President's Communications Specialist, Arnold Corneal, said His Excellency had noted the statement of the Bureau of the Conference of Caricom Heads of Government forwarded to him by Secretary General Edwin Carrington.
"It must be remembered that there is a Constitutional Head of State in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago elected in a conjoint sitting of both Houses of Parliament," the statement from President Robinson read in part.
Break in deadlock?
In a major about-turn, UNC Leader Basdeo Panday last night declared he was ready to lead his troops back into Parliament but only on condition that PNM leader, Prime Minister Patrick Manning, returned to the negotiating table for talks leading to fresh elections in Trinidad and Tobago.
Sharma on $.75m bail
Months after the arrest of three of his former colleagues in the North West Regional Health Authority (NWRHA) on fraud related charges, Ramesh Sharma, the authority’s former CEO, appeared before a Port of Spain magistrate yesterday on three charges of his own.
Daly takes Manning to task
In a five-page letter addressed to Prime Minister Patrick Manning, former Independent Senator Martin Daly SC, yesterday warned the Manning administration "lacks the ultimate legitimacy" while expressing concern about several measures taken by Manning since assuming office.
"I am gravely concerned that you are paying insufficient attention to political legitimacy," wrote Daly with the warning that "this is not a time to load up the country with an unprecedented number of ministers; nor is it the time to pack the Senate with ministers".
Back to jail for Dhanraj
Murder accused Dhanraj Singh has been sent back to Golden Grove Prison, Arouca.
Yesterday Magistrate Lianne Lee Kim, presiding in the Mayaro District Court in the preliminary inquiry into the murder charge, accepted a recommendation by Dr Iqbal Ghany, a psychiatrist attached to the St Ann’s hospital, that Singh’s treatment “should continue out of hospital.”
Singh, a sacked local government minister in the first UNC government, was admitted to St Ann’s on a court order last December 18 when Chief Magistrate Sherman Mc Nicholls acceded to a request by attorney Prakash Ramadhar that Singh be remanded to the institution for observation, treatment and psychiatric evaluation.
Boss held for $5m ransom
A chaguanas businessman has been kidnapped and his abductors are reportedly calling for a $5 million ransom for his release.
Jeewan Ramdial, 41, of Eleanor Street, Chaguanas, was abducted on Saturday around midnight. He is the proprietor of a wholesale dry goods store.
Members of the Anti-Kidnapping Squad were out yesterday conducting investigations.
Reports said Ramdial, who lives alone, was snatched from outside his home as he was about to drive into his garage in his BMW car.
He had just returned from a function.
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The Emperor has no Clothes
Posted: Sunday, January 13, 2002
The Hon Basdeo Panday, Prime Minister in exile, can now be easily identified as the Naked Emperor, in the absence of Ramesh Maharaj, Ralph Maraj and Trevor (Forever) Sudama. Our ex Prime Minister looked hopelessly pathetic and ineffective on TV news on Wednesday January 2, 2002.
Surrounded by an ineffective Party Chairman, his smiling and charming ex Attorney General and her ex Junior Legal Minister a disoriented looking Jerry Yetming. The Silver Fox certainly looked more comical than critical and logical, any elementary students of politics would certainly have recognised the conspicuous absence of Ramesh at the side of the Master. I am sure that Wednesday, January 2, 2002 strategy meeting at the Reinzi Complex must have forcefully brought to the strategist attention, while no one would be man/woman enough to mention it in the presence of the Master.
The regrettable absence of the Master's most valuable and reliable advisor for more than ten years, a soldier whatever we may wish to say about him, who was ready to defend his Master whatever the cause. Ramesh rightly or wrongly was always ready and able to find a defence to cover his Master's errors.
The further his back was to the wall, the more determined Ramesh was to defend and protect him whatever the cost. He made no apology for his attempts to make wrong - right once it was in the defence of his Master. He found opinions from Timbuktu to Iceland, the King can and must do no wrong. Well Ramesh was not there on Wednesday January 2, 2002 and by gosh the Emperor was not only naked but surrounded by nakedness.
I am sure that it was the one occasion when they silently regretted his absence. My old ONR colleague well-intentioned as he may be, is certainly not a politician like so many others. They want to play the part but don't have a clue of what to do when the big curtain rises.
The cinema is one thing, the theatre is another. Shakespeare at the Metropolitan is entirely different to the Shakespeare at the Roxy Cinema. The party certainly looks helpless at this critical juncture. The leader is still shaken by the unpredictable events that have overtaken him, certainly needed the best troops available to protect and defend his crown. What he got was buffoons, like Robin Montano and psychopants who did nothing to help the leader and the party's unpredictable situation.
I can only hope that even at this advanced age he has learnt his lesson and will in the future tread carefully and be more tolerant, compromising and above all statesmanlike. Once there is life there is hope. Time is still longer than twine.
FERDIE FERREIRA
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My new party
Posted: Sunday, January 13, 2002
By Donna Yawching
ANYONE who knows me will testify that politics has never been my ambition. Countless people have asked me, over the years, why I don't run for office; my reply has always been, "I'm not crooked enough to be a politician."
But today I am seriously thinking about forming a new political party. Not because I have any deep-seated wish to be Prime Minister (although the two Benzes would be nice, after my battered, foreign-used Sentra). I've never been inclined to view myself as Mother of the Nation.
I would in any case not qualify for the job, since I hold a foreign passport and (unlike other hypocritical opportunists I could name) I have no intention of giving it up. If they want me to be PM, they'll have to change the rules-and I can see no reason why they should. MORE
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It's our fault
Posted: Sunday, January 13, 2002
By Raffique Shah
THE political dilemma that we find ourselves in today has nothing to do with newly appointed Prime Minister Patrick Manning. In fact, even ex-Prime Minister Basdeo Panday, for all his faults, is not to blame. Nor, for that matter, must President Arthur Robinson be seen as the root cause of the crisis because he exercised his judgement (in naming a PM) in a manner that most political analysts deemed unconstitutional. The main problem, if we must be brutally frank, is that we, as a people, have failed to come to grips with nationhood, to free our minds from the bondage of colonialism, to exercise our rights as the real repository of power.
Manning has been criticised for certain ministerial appointments he made, for the size of his Cabinet, for naming his wife, Hazel, as a minister, and for "playing Prime Minister" in a situation where he has no clear mandate, what with the 18-18 elections' results. Panday faced similar criticisms during his tenure of office for bringing into his Cabinet persons whose interests, or conflict of interests, made them wholly unsuitable for ministerial positions. And now Robinson is being flayed from all sides for allegedly breaching the Constitution by naming as PM someone who does not appear to "command the support of the majority of members of the House (of Representatives)". MORE
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Going to tong with English
Posted: Sunday, January 13, 2002
By Denis Solomon
TODAY I can write about something more interesting than politics: language. For the chance, I thank my colleagues Keith Smith and BC Pires.
This is rare, for Keith and BC, unlike most T&T journalists, normally use English with precision and to great effect. But I ketch dem dis time.
BC's solecism recalls an earlier column of mine about metaphor.
In his retrospective forecast for the year 2001, BC predicts that President Robinson "will depart this mortal coil". MORE
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Former UNC Minister, Dhanraj Singh in jovial mood
Posted: Saturday, January 12, 2002
Former UNC Local Government Minister Dhanraj Singh, who has been placed on a suicide watch at the St Ann's Hospital, hugged his wife Leela and his mother Shiela yesterday, and declared that it is his three children that are keeping him alive.
Singh's three children Adesh, 16, Sharda, 14, and Rajiv, 7 were unable to visit their father yesterday, because children must be 18 and over to visit patients at the Forensic Ward.
Sources at St Ann's told Newsday that Singh will continue to be on a suicide watch and increased security at the forensic ward will also continue.
Singh will appear before a Mayaro magistrate on Monday charged with the murder of Chairman of the Mayaro/Rio Claro Regional Corporation Hansraj Sumairsingh. - Abstract Newsday
Arnim Smith sacked from ETP
EXECUTIVE director of the Employment Training Programme (ETP) Arnim Smith was yesterday sacked a few hours after he denied any wrongdoing on his part in the spending of some $41 million of the allocated funds for the programme. Smith became the second high profile UNC activist to lose his job under the new PNM administration.
PM: UNC trying to incite nation
PRIME MINISTER Patrick Manning has accused the Opposition UNC of attempting to incite the population.
"Look at them, they are trying their best to stir up and to incite the population. But all I will say is what the President once said... those who sow the wind will reap the whirlwind."
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Govt to probe ETP $40m
Posted: Friday, January 11, 2002
Some $40 million of Employment Training Programme (ETP) funds were spent by the UNC in the two months preceding the December 2001 general election.
And Minister of Local Government Jarrette Narine said yesterday he is launching an investigation into how the money was spent.
Hansie's wife: Panday failed to keep promise
A promise made by former prime minister Basdeo Panday to set up a trust fund to care for the financial needs of the child of murdered Hansraj Soomairsingh has not been kept.
Soomairsingh's wife, Sandra, has been left bitterly disappointed, and financially strained.
Griffith still working as Speaker
WHILE there is much uncertainty over the convening of the new Parliament, Dr Rupert Griffith remains the Speaker of the House and is very busy with administrative work at the Red House, Port of Spain.
Griffith confirmed to the Express yesterday that he goes to the Red House each day to do his administrative job. Griffith said he remained the spokesperson for the Parliament and would remain in the Chair until Parliament was convened and a new Speaker elected.
Griffith said the 18-18 election deadlock has placed the Parliament in a "very unique" situation.
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Ruling by executive fiat?
Posted: Thursday, January 10, 2002
Manning was asked if his Government was giving consideration to ruling the country by executive fiat.
He responded sharply: "We were not the ones to break the agreement that was entered into of their own free will between the leader of the UNC and the leader of the PNM."
The agreement to which he referred was the one which provided for a Speaker, among other things, which would allow Parliament to convene in the wake of the 18-18 tie between the UNC and PNM after the December 10 election.
He said the agreement was an attempt "to ensure that the Parliament can operate properly, and if the UNC now breaks that initiative, how could it be our liability? They are quite irresponsible in that regard and must not be allowed to put it over in any way other than that. They are irresponsible in the extreme."
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Who is big enough to make first move?
Posted: Wednesday, January 9, 2002
by Bukka Rennie
The fact that we have been an "independent democracy" since 1962, and a "republic" since 1976, and to date there has been no fundamental amendment to our Constitution indicates the extent to which we, who inhabit this space, function unintelligently, almost like mindless vassals.
The fact that the British have, in large part, no written Constitution tells us something about who they are culturally, how their development evolved historically and the importance of social convention and tradition in their arrangements in their scheme of things.
There are parts of the British Constitution that are indeed "written", such as the 1701 Act of Settlement that established the independence of the Judiciary, and the Parliament Act of 1911 which was brought to limit the powers of the House of Lords. MORE
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PNM is the Government of TT
Posted: Friday, January 4, 2002
THE PEOPLE'S National Movement (PNM) is the legitimate government of Trinidad and Tobago, and the United National Congress (UNC) has no choice but to accept that fact, says South Trinidad Chamber of Industry and Commerce president Wayne Moze.
Commenting on Opposition Leader Basdeo Panday's decision to conduct a "cabinet" meeting at Rienzi Complex yesterday, Moze observed that this was in keeping with the conduct of parliamentary oppositions worldwide to act as a check and balance against their respective governments.
However Moze disagreed that the UNC can now claim that they are still the government.
"That is not an option. A Prime Minister and a Cabinet will appointed. That is the Government," he said. The Chamber president stated that if the UNC feels disgruntled with the present state of affairs, they were "free to call for an early return to the polls".
He reiterated that the limited agreement reached between the PNM and the UNC in order to break the 18-18 electoral deadlock, calls for fresh elections within one year after the necessary reforms were undertaken. In a previous interview with Newsday, Moze suggested that both parties should return to the negotiating table to discuss the issues and refrain from using the political platform.
The Chamber president added that while some may argue that certain appointments to Prime Minister Patrick Manning's Cabinet "do not reflect the reality of the situation" in Trinidad and Tobago, the appointment of persons to serve within the Government remain within the realm of the Prime Minister's prerogative.
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Forensic expert Bob Lindquist is back
Posted: Friday, January 4, 2002
Manning said Lindquist will continue his probe into InnCogen, the desalination plant and the $1.6 billion airport terminal. These were controversial projects carried out under the UNC administration.
Lindquist arrived in the country last night, and would meet today with Attorney General Glenda Morean to iron out his terms and conditions.
Morean said later it was not difficult to persuade Lindquist to come back to T&T. She said he started the job, stopped and now wanted to complete it. "He is ready, willing and able," she said.
Responding to reports that the UNC political leader Basdeo Panday was convening his own "Cabinet" meeting yesterday, Manning said Panday was having difficulty facing reality.
"Poor Mr Panday," he said. "I feel sorry for him. Some people have difficulty adjusting to new arrangements."
Manning described Panday's "Cabinet" as "a dangerous course of action," but said he did not want to impute improper motives to him.
He said the PNM would not be deterred by "anybody bent on destruction or trying to stymie the actions of the government."
Responding to Mr Panday's rejection of the post of Opposition Leader, Manning said, "then the President has the option of asking someone else."
Lindquist report on Piarco Airport: FRAUD!
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Panday refuses to accept Opposition post
Posted: Friday, January 4, 2002
Panday said:
"I wish to point out that at no time did I indicate to the President that I was willing to be appointed the Leader of the Opposition."
Following the first meeting of the "Cabinet" of the UNC "alternative government" at Rienzi Complex, Couva, Panday told the media: "I have been mandated by my colleagues to inform the President that the instruments are wrong.
That is to say, when it (instrument) says that I was willing to be appointed the Leader of the Opposition, I was never consulted on the matter and I gave no such indication."
Panday said he did not know whether he would participate in Parliament if invited.
Referring to a statement by Prime Minister Patrick Manning that if he (Panday) refused to be Opposition Leader, the President could appoint somebody else, Panday said: "Maybe he will put Rowley."
On the UNC’s "alternative government", Panday said the party was not claiming to be the legitimate government, but an alternative government.
"The Ministers (from the previous UNC government) will remain with their portfolios pending the resolution of this problem-that is to say, whether by election or otherwise, we are ready, willing to assume the reins of office," Panday told a media conference following his "Cabinet" meeting.
He said he did not consider himself prime minister.
The UNC "Cabinet" will be a watchdog government "that will bring to the attention of the public anything that is going wrong in society", Panday said.
He is also not ruling out being part of a government of national unity.
"We are not beyond that. That is a possibility. That was one of the first suggestions I had made. I think there is still a possibility, if people are willing to abide by the Constitution and do the things necessary to get the nation going again," said Panday.
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Why a Grenadian Mr Maharaj?
Posted: Thursday, January 3, 2002
I am responding to a statement made by Mr Sat Maharaj on the Ringside Programme aired on Power 102 on Sunday December 30 last. A caller from Diego Martin to the programme in his/her own imitable way indicated that they wanted "to see the back of Sat Maharaj, and by extension that of the UNC."
Mr Maharaj in response said that he was sure the caller was a Grenadian. If by his response Sat Maharaj was saying that the only people in Trinidad and Tobago who have the capacity to discern his and the UNC's vulgar politicking and subtle appeal to race, and to have the moral strength to say "we pass that stage" are Grenadians -" I plead guilty."
Fortunately for us Grenadians there are Indians in Trinidad and Tobago of a different calibre to Sat Maharaj who recognise the problems of this society and are prepared to express them fearlessly.
Justice Lennox Deyalsingh writing in the Newsday of November 21 last said: "Our political leaders are still playing the race card today.
Listen to their statements. Learn what is said in their private meetings. You will still hear shrewd appeal to race couched in language with which their supporters can identify."
If Sat Maharaj is peeved about the fact that the political and social history of Trinidad and Tobago cannot be written or rewritten without reference being made to the sterling contributions of Grenadians and their descendants in every sphere of its development; then, too bad for him.
I would have preferred to ignore Sat Maharaj's diatribe because Sat Maharaj is not, could never be a yardstick by which I measure quality life. That people who pontificate themselves as paragons of virtue who almost give the impression of being Nobel laureates can sit on a programme with Sat Maharaj and facilitate his unwarranted attack on a people is too much for me to bear. As it is said in ("She Stoops to Conquer", "it left a hollow in my stomach that all the birds of the air could nest it." I await a response from 102.
PETER C SYLVESTER
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Finding good Indians...
Posted: Wednesday, January 2, 2002
By Angela John
Some woman on 102 Radio was just saying that Mr Panday did better at attracting Africans to the UNC than Mr Manning at attracting Indians to the PNM.
What she forgot is that Panday was bribing many Africans for their support to do his dirty work and he may be far better at paying bribes than the PNM.
Even Panday had a hard time attracting good Indians to his party. We see several now before the courts for corruption. One minister is on murder charges. So they cannot fault PNM for not finding good Indians. Panday had the same problem.
Anyhow good people of any race are few and far between so I guess these leaders settle for people they can trust.
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A people betrayed
Posted: Wednesday, January 2, 2002
By Bukka Rennie
Do we see any correlation in the logic underlying the two major eventualities that has this time around "crystallised" our ongoing crisis in governance? Recall the developments...
Panday, in typical "one-manism" fashion, orders his Party's internal election to be put on hold until he returns from London. On his return, he instructs the membership to feel free to vote into office a party executive of their choice. He signals to the faithful that all and sundry should vote according to conscience. He claims he shall not intervene nor attempt to influence their choice in any way.
The slates line up. Each lay claim to greater love for, and loyalty to, the Maximum Leader, the most loving and considerate helmsman of them all. The Party faithful, with all good intention, vote into office an Executive and immediately all hell breaks loose.
Panday reneges on his position of impartiality and virtually scuttles his Party's unity and triggers the collapse of his own Government with the dismissal/departure of three UNC ministers, after only a mere nine months in office. MORE
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Pan day and Manning
Posted: Wednesday, January 2, 2002
By Terry Joseph
In spite of unrelenting Government disdain, donations from big business that more closely resemble zilch than zakat and sustained demand for continuing freeness by a large part of its audience; pan music is currently enjoying its finest day.
Actually, it has been a more than wonderful year for pan which, you may remember, Prime Minister Patrick Manning dubbed "The National Musical Instrument" during an earlier tour of executive duty.
Speaking in Parliament shortly before the Independence holiday of 1994, Mr Manning accorded the instrument its supreme sobriquet as he released to Pan Trinbago interest accruing from a $7.5 million provision promised by predecessor (now President) Arthur NR Robinson at the same forum on July 25, 1990. MORE
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Irreducible minimum
Posted: Wednesday, January 2, 2002
By Denis Solomon
As the new year is supposed to be a time of hope, let's see what we have to hope for in politics.
The minimal optimistic position is that Trinbagonians are not racial voters at heart, but merely fall back on their traditional "parties" because there are no real ones to tempt them away from their old habits. In this view all that is needed is dialogue (not that anyone claims it will be achieved easily) and that once this dialogue results in power-sharing at the executive level, all else will follow in the fullness of time: effective parliamentary representation, efficient local government, rational policy formation, the death of maximum leadership, emergence of talented leaders at all levels.
Personally, I take leave to doubt this. Not that it is possible, but that we are on the brink of it. Where are the signs of emerging rationality in the population, much less in the political class, to back this view? It seems illogical to attribute an underlying will to reason in the mobs one sees on television drinking in the rabble-rousing, ignorance-exploiting tirades of Basdeo Panday, especially since they are there only because the UNC has in their minds no existence apart from Basdeo Panday. MORE
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Fitting obituary to political life of Mervyn Assam
Posted: Wednesday, January 2, 2002
The Tale of Two Suzannes gave a fitting obituary to the political life of one Mervyn "Flatus" Assam.
The joke of the town is that the defeated candidate in the December 10, 2001 elections in the Tunapuna constituency lost his accent and is talking like Sprangalang!
The abstract thing to do is to allow Mr Assam to bow out gracefully but this former Trinidad and Tobago High Commissioner is too greedy for punishment!
If the continued request for a recount of votes in Tunapuna was not enough, the caretaker Foreign Minister saw it fit to fire back at Mr Owen Arthur in a back yard fashion. A word to the Barbadian Prime Minister: remember what happened to your political colleague Bernard "Bree" St John.
He issued the same threat of trade sanctions against Trinidad and Tobago and eventually ended up out of office. I would like to take you back to the NAR days when the fishing folk of Tobago took to the streets with placards over a proposed fishing agreement with Barbados. A spokeswoman in a televised interview made it abundantly clear that the Bajan fishermen must buy what they come for in Tobago waters!
Even in the need for dialogue between the two Caricom partners, Bridgetown must cut out the penchant for playing smart with stupidity!
J M JOSEPH
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