People like US President Donald Trump and the TT union leader who said “take your platform and go.” And again recently, in our precious islands, the same unfortunate behaviour has been demonstrated.

I would suggest that these people take their wealth to educate themselves to behave better, and know better.

Our children and young adults are like “sponges” absorbing the bad behaviour demonstrated by their seniors, whether it be parents, teachers, or policemen etc.

In recent times, these examples have not good enough.

We have to pray for each other and for unity, and for our beautiful islands.

PATRICIA BLADES via email

Jabloteh and Police finished top of the Under-13 standings with 49 points, but Jabloteh emerged victorious on the basis of a more superior goal difference (plus-88 to Police’s plus-54).

Jabloteh defeated Defence Force 2-0 at the San Juan Secondary School Ground. An own goal put Jabloteh ahead after two minutes while Tyrell Inniss doubled their lead in the 32nd.

Police, on the other hand, had a 3-0 win, by default, over Morvant Caledonia United at the St James Barracks, while North East Stars had a similar result, by default, over St Ann’s Rangers at the St Augustine Secondary School Ground.

Romario Nelson registered a beaver- trick as Central FC hammered Point Fortin Civic 6-0 at the D’Abadie Recreation Ground, Arouca.

Nelson found the back of the net in the 21st, 25th, 43rd and 46th minutes, to follow Giovanni Warner’s opener in the fourth minute and an own goal in the 62nd.

W Connection were also in winners’ row on Sunday, with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Club Sando at the Union Recreation Ground, Marabella. Jaden Grant (16th), Levi Jones (29th) and Aleem Mohammed (63rd) got their names on the scoresheet for Connection.

Other Results – Under-15 Division – At D’Abadie Recreation Ground: POINT FORT IN CIVIC (1) – Jamali Cobham 40th vs CENTRAL FC (0).

At St James Barracks: MOR – VANT CALEDONIA UNITED (2) – Cade Massy 51st; Nadir Badal 55th vs POLICE (1) – Triston Solomon 44th.

At St Augustine Secondary School Ground: ST ANN’S RANGERS (3) – Darrius Douglas 6th, 23rd; Keron Manswell 47th vs NORT H EAST ST ARS (1) – Nathaniel De Silva.

At San Juan Secondary School Ground: SAN JUAN JABLOT EH (2) – Josiah Edwards 56th; Tyrell Willey vs DEFENCE FOR CE (0).

At Union Recreation Ground: W CONNECTION (8) – Denilson Dogan 6th; Kern Cedeno 27th, 33rd, 61st; Nigel Carraby 36th; Jamal Lewis 73rd, 75th; Jaheim Joseph 86th vs CLUB SANDO (1) – Nasean Duncan 14th.

Under-17 Division – At D’Abadie Recreation Ground: CENTRAL FC (3) vs POINT FOR – TIN CIVIC (0). Central FC won by default.

At St James Barracks: POLICE (3) vs MOR VANT CALEDONIA UNITED (0). Police won by default.

At St Augustine Secondary School Ground: ST ANN’S RANGERS (3) – Kesean St Rose 15th, 33rd; Jerrell Hibbert 25th vs NORT H EAST ST ARS (3) – Kishawn Hackshaw 54th; Kobe Douglas 60th; Darnell Charles 89th.

At San Juan Secondary School Ground: SAN JUAN JABLOT EH (3) vs DEFENCE FOR CE (0). San Juan Jabloteh won by default.

At Union Recreation Ground: W CONNECTION (2) – Jevaughn Humphrey 73rd; Zion Allen 90th vs CLUB SANDO (0).

Assam, a former diplomat, former Tunapuna MP and businessman, told the meeting that Trinidad and Tobago’s competitiveness ranking is now lower than those of its Caricom neighbours Barbados and Jamaica, while this country’s ease of doing business rating has descended to a rank lower than those of Barbados, St Vincent, St Lucia and Grenada.

Gopee-Scoon, spoke to Newsday on Tuesday at a workshop on quality at the Bureau of Standards, Macoya.

She said very little was done in the past five years on these two indices, but now Cabinet has set up a committee under the secretariat of her ministry to create an enabling environment for business. The committee includes officials from the Ministries of Planning, Finance and Public Utilities. “All these agencies, all of us are charged with renewing and redoing their processes, in the shortest time-frame, so that at the end of the day TT can match its international rivals when it comes to competitiveness and ease of doing business.

“TT is in a place at this time where he really have to resuscitate the non-energy environment.” She said support must be given for new areas of business, such as in the agriculture, maritime and tourism sectors. ‘We have to ensure all of our business environment is competitive enough and up to stand that we can welcome investors into TT, and that even our local investors can find opportunities idea enough to re-invest. So we are actively working and this follows the Bureau of Standards which is ensuring that all the standards are put in place to ensure we develop a National Quality Infrastructure that directly impacts.”

However, we need to take advantage of these God-given things. Let us revive the cocoa and coffee plantations for export, grow our own rice, sugar etc.

We must create new jobs by diversifying the economy.

It seems our leaders are more concerned with picking on each other, whichever side of the Parliament they sit, than getting the economy moving again.

All the wrong things are happening in the country. Two government appointments were revoked within a few days. A person not invited to the swearing- in of a minister crashes the party and is photographed with our President.

The crime and murder rates are escalating, equal to New York, according to the CNN documentary Places Unknown. And we are unable to appoint a police commissioner.

Who will take us seriously enough to want to invest here? Do we need to get someone with experience to lend a hand, to show us how to govern the country? We continue to be embarrassed daily as countries far and wide look on. Are we heading towards becoming a failed state?

PATRICIA BLADES via email

In November, Bravo was sent home ahead of a One Day International tri-series, involving hosts Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka, following a tweet on his account which referred to Cameron as a “big idiot”.

And Bravo’s post was a response to Cameron who, on an edition of the Sportsmax Zone, said that the 28-year-old had been offered a Grade C contract due to his inconsistent returns with the bat.

The CWI immediately quashed Bravo’s contract and virtually sidelined him from First Class cricket under their auspices, while Bravo initiated legal action against the CWI, claiming damages over lost of earnings allegedly in the region of US$120,000.

During yesterday’s edition of the Sportsmax Zone, however, Bravo’s attorney Leslie Haynes confirmed that the tweet was removed and a subsequent apology was issued by Bravo, while Cameron is expected to issue a media release today in which he will atone for his ill-advised comment.

Haynes, a Queen’s Counsel, declined to reveal Bravo’s statement to Cameron, stating, “I spoke to the CEO of Cricket West Indies (Johnny Grave) who is responsible for issuing this statement. He said that this statement will be issued first thing (this) morning and I promised him not to read from the statement, to breach protocol.

“But what I can (say) is that Darren has apologised to the president for his inappropriate response, he’s apologised to all Windies cricket fans and, in retrospect, he says the statement was inappropriate.” The Queen’s Counsel added, “we have made Darren’s return to cricket a priority, and (CWI) has agreed to that. While there are other issues to be dealt with, we hope to deal with them in an amicable manner.” Asked about the factor/factors behind Bravo’s latest move, Haynes replied, “At the end of the day, common sense on all sides prevailed.” Admitting that the CWI produced a statement yesterday over the matter, Haynes related, “Essentially (Cameron) says he made an incorrect statement for which he apologises, and Darren apologises as well. Two wrongs don’t make a right.” Haynes noted that discussions took place with a number of persons over the eight-month-long saga, including president of the Caribbean Court of Justice Sir Dennis Byron; former CWI (then West Indies Cricket Board) president Ken Gordon; Deryck Murray, ex-TT Cricket Board (TTCB) president and WI wicketkeeper; and current TTCB head Azim Bassarath.

“At the end of the day, the tweet has expended its time and we were quite willing to accept (Cameron’s) statement and the president, having agreed to same, we agreed as well to take down the tweet and shake hands,” the Queen’s Counsel said. In a recent interview on Sportsmax’s Line and Length programme, Bravo argued that the CWI were yet to prove that the tweet was posted by the batsman himself. Asked to confirm if the tweet was Bravo’s doing, Haynes responded, “I don’t know.” But he does not foresee any addition punishment from CWI towards Bravo.

“How often are you going to punish someone? He was punished by being sent home, he was punished for not being eligible for selection for 242 days.

“From a legal point of view, I can say that you cannot punish someone more than once.” The lawyer ended, “there is mutual respect between the parties.

Both understand each other (and) the roles that each of them play.”

There were many residents who had legitimate concerns which were answered in a very open and transparent manner.

Other residents were allowed to openly give suggestions and ideas to improve the performance of the economy and other agencies of the Government.

Clearly there were attendees who were upset with the People’s National Movement (PNM) and/or with the Government.

The fact that Rowley was able to take his kudos with his criticisms and respond accordingly while maintaining his composure is highly commendable.

In any functional democracy the will of the people must be expressed through a medium that reaches the decision makers directly.

This “Conversations” series was not just a campaign gimmick but is now established as a commitment by Rowley to stay grounded while in office. His MPs and Cabinet members are also available at this event to answer to the people.

This style of leadership reminds us of the late Dr Eric Williams, the “father of the nation.” Williams continuously engaged the public in lectures at Woodford Square that were meant to educate, inform and communicate with the average citizen.

It is easy for a prime minister to get lost in meetings on State and international relations business with a busy schedule.

However, making time for the people that put you in public office must be an act of duty.

The moderator at the Point Fortin “Conversations” could have been a little warmer and more accommodating with her interactions during the question and answer segment. This would have made the evening flow a little smoother and made Rowley’s job a little easier.

All variables considered, our Prime Minister continues to make himself available to the public.

Rowley as Prime Minister has thus far been on several radio and television programmes, at cottage meetings, national “Conversations,” community walkabouts, given several addresses to the nation and is consistent with his press conferences.

Keeping the population informed and staying in touch with citizens, especially in these challenging economic and social times, is a significant signal that our Prime Minister is open, transparent, grounded and has the country’s best interests at heart.

RONALD HUGGINS St Joseph

In round one, defending champions TT defeated Barbados by five wickets at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba on Tuesday. Barbados posted 169 all out in 46.3 overs batting first with Jonlhi Jordan top scoring with 33. The spin bowling quartet of Leonardo Francis (2/15), Nicholas Ali (2/22), Avinash Mahabirsingh (2/27) and Sameer Ali (2/49) all took two wickets for the hosts.

In reply, TT got to 170/5 in 43.3 overs with Mahabirsingh (41 not out) and Leonardo Julien (41) leading the way. TT also got contributions from Francis and Joshua James, who scored 28 and 15 not out respectively. R Simmonds was the best bowler for Barbados snatching 2/26.

The wounded Jamaicans are aiming to bounce back from a five-wicket defeat to Leeward Islands in round one. Today, Leeward Islands will face Guyana, a team that lost by 19 runs to the Windward Islands in round one.

In the last match today Windward Islands will battle Barbados.

FIXTURES: Today: Windward Islands vs Barbados, National Cricket Centre (NCC); TT vs Jamaica, Gilbert Park (GP); Leeward Islands vs Guyana, Brian Lara Cricket Academy (BLCA) Saturday: Barbados vs Jamaica, NCC; Windward Islands vs Leeward Islands, BLCA; TT vs Guyana, Queen’s Park Oval (QPO), St Clair Sunday: Leeward Islands vs Barbados, NCC; Guyana vs Jamaica, QPO; TT vs Windward Islands, BLCA Tuesday: Guyana vs Barbados, GP; TT vs Leeward Islands, NCC; Jamaica vs Windward Islands, BLCA

With a seating capacity of over 2,000 persons the Witness Facility will be used for a series of seven conventions beginning on July 23. The programme will be repeated each weekend through September 3 to accommodate witnesses from throughout Trinidad. Collectively some 15,000 delegates are expected to attend.

The programme will focus on the theme Don’t Give Up! It will explore reasons for not giving up and remaining optimistic about the future.

The opening lecture of the convention will set the tone for the chairman’s address titled We Must Not Give Up-Especially Now.

Throughout the three-day convention video presentations will illustrate biblical examples of endurance.

All sessions are free and open to the public.

San Fernando Mayor Junia Regrello, at a San Fernando City Corporation statutory meeting recently, said the plan involves two major changes — a reversal of traffic on Mucurapo, Lord and Library streets and relocation of the Marabella, Princes Town, La Romaine and Fyzabad taxi stands. The plan is supposed to last for two weeks after which it will be reviewed .

When Newsday visited the Marabella taxi stand yesterday, drivers appeared bemused at the changes saying both ends of the taxi stand have been reversed with what was previously the front end, now regarded as the back end .

Azim Curban said this was an example of the “first being last and the last being first.” “Fellas who come after me done fill up already so is we to catch and we can’t even make a round because you have to make the entire block before coming back on the stand,” he said, adding, “Is pressure here boy. Is best you stay home and park up.” David Ramharack was in full agreement saying the plan would have been worse had it been implemented during the school term .

“They just take the traffic from one point and put it somewhere else,” he said. Ramharack said traffic wardens and police officers could have been used to manage and not change the entire scheme of traffic .

Meanwhile, one person said the plan did not take into account emergency and police vehicles as they would have to drive up one-way streets in time of emergencies .

Police believe the man was first shot while at Prince Street and ran towards Charlotte Street where he collapsed and died.

However checks by police revealed the surveillance cameras at Prince Street were not working. Four shots were heard at about 4.45 am near Prince Street and police were called.

Inspector Harvey Jawahir and members of the Homicide Bureau and district medical officer Dr. Ojahr went to the scene.

They found the body of a man of African descent wearing only blue jeans and black sneakers.

Two spent shells were found nearby.

People at Prince Street told police they only knew the man as ‘Yankee’.