This we have to believe as to do otherwise is to practically roll over and die.

I cannot fathom that among us are human beings with the capacity to sit down and plot the horrendous acts of violence against women and children particularly, as are being perpetrated now almost daily. But there are and they seem to appear as phantoms, leaving indescribable grief in their wake.

There is no logical reasoning to justify this behaviour. It cannot be explained that it is as a result of the drug trade, or poverty or the economic hardships facing us at this time. What is the emotional frame that could trigger such thoughts and lead to the cold, heartless and cruel act of slitting the throat of another as though this person was a fowl in the back yard? I challenge our esteemed psychologists to come up with a plausible explanation as indeed such is desperately needed, otherwise we are forced to conclude that the evil of a medieval past still exists in sweet TT .

Already we live in constant fear of our homes being invaded by masked or unmasked men, breaking down our doors and demanding our valuables; snatching and grabbing all they can find and driving away with our hard-earned belongings.

We now have the added fear of being cruelly dismembered and or beheaded in the process, even though you may be old, infirmed or merely a child. The chilling fear that these thoughts conjure have become intrinsic to our daily existence. We simply are not safe anymore, not even in our homes.

Indeed, TT is experiencing its darkest hour. The recent attack on Fr Clyde Harvey, the cruel and senseless murders of Hafeeza Mohammed and Vedesh Subar clearly spell out the abject nature of what life has become in our country.

The sacred boundaries and the unspoken respect for the spiritual were defied, leaving no doubt that we no longer operate with a moral code or conscious.

Certainly there is no stopping the criminal element now; the fences have been cleared and no one is exempt from the scourge.

Hence my belief that a new day is coming soon, as there is no further to go in this dark and ruthless pit. We have hit rock bottom. The only way forward is up and as a society we have to take this bull by the horns and face the reality head on.

We must begin to instill hope where there is fear and replace the negative outlook with a positive resolve to join forces and push back against the criminal element.

We have many examples of the power of the masses and the victories that can be gained from a collective show of force against the enemy. A new dawn is near, but we have to create the sunrise by our response to this seemingly overwhelming darkness.

GARVIN COLE Tobago

However, Opposition Senator Gerald Ramdeen insisted the resignations were connected to the debacle involving the appointment of former chief magistrate Marcia Ayers-Caesar as a High Court judge and her subsequent resignation. Ramdeen renewed his call for Chief Justice Ivor Archie and the remaining JLSC members to resign.

Commenting prior to the start of the Senate sitting, Al-Rawi said, “One does take note of the resignations following the recent publicity surrounding the workings of the JLSC.” The AG continued, “Constitutionally, we have a very careful distance from the JLSC. That is the Government.

We don’t propose to breach that in any form or fashion.” He said Government expects President Anthony Carmona would make haste in ensuring vacancies created by the resignations are filled.

“The workings of the JLSC are a very important aspect of our criminal justice system, our judicial system, our public service in so far as they appoint officers to the Solicitor-General’s Department and also the DPP’s Office.” Asked whether the resignations were appropriate given the Ayers-Caesar imbroglio and possible loss of confidence in the JLSC, Al-Rawi replied, “I don’t want to speculate”, adding, “It would be artificial to separate these resignations from the events which have recently unfolded.” Ramdeen said Stollmeyer and Hamel-Smith did what they ought to have done from the very beginning. “It is very clear they have recognised the loss of confidence the public and the legal profession expressed in the workings of the JLSC.” Ramdeen argued the resignations were linked not only to the Ayers-Caesar matter but also to, “the question of the appointments of the other members of the bench now.” He wondered, “How could other members (of the JLSC) who are responsible for what has taken place…when they were simply members…the person who was in charge of the JLSC…have not found it right to take any action to build any confidence in the administration of justice?” Ramdeen said the resignations, “lay more of a foundation for the Chief Justice to go.” Saying all persons who questioned these appointments have been vindicated, Ramdeen said this was a call for constitutional reform, examining how judges are appointed and whether the JLSC should be involved in such appointments. He also said no solution has been found legislatively or legally to deal with the 53 matters which Ayers-Caesar was handling when she was appointed a judge.

Contacted in London by Newsday, Mendes said yesterday, “There is nothing to comment on.” He said the statement pertaining to the resignations indicated Stollmeyer and Hamel- Smith resigned for personal reasons.

Mendes said he was not going behind that statement.

Even before Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley on Monday expressed dismay with the slow workings of the commission, it has been apparent that this body has been too often ensnared in politics, has been unable to efficiently fulfil its constitutional mandate and has in the past conducted itself in a way which has brought itself into disrepute – and in at least one instance a successful lawsuit for misfeasance.

There is need for serious rebranding.

The current commission this week steered well clear of the remarks made by Rowley as he explained his rehiring of Port of Spain South MP Marlene McDonald.

This, for once, was an instance of the commission acting properly: keeping itself out of the daily political grind.

Still, there are too many other complaints. While it is not appropriate for any politician to attack an independent body established by the Constitution, it speaks volumes when a sitting Prime Minister can openly express dissatisfaction with the commission in the way Rowley has done. Rowley is not alone in finding much that is undesirable.

Ironically, however, it is the politicians who have dealt the most damage to this body over decades.

Rowley himself was caught up in a scandal in which he attended a secret meeting with a commission chairman at the chairman’s private residence in the absence of any commission official and while the commission panel was not even fully constituted.

Other politicians have often used the commission as a political toy. The filing of a complaint – and subsequent confirmation of a probe into such – is often used to generate animus against targets. All are entitled to file such complaints, but the dogged insistence to file is not matched with a fervour to give the commission the resources it needs to investigate.

This is another area where politicians have failed. The commission is answerable to no politician, yet the politicians control the size of its purse strings. The Constitution does not provide for this body to have an autonomous source of funding.

The politicians have also been accused of improperly interfering with the commission. The Landate affair and the commission’s role in that matter raised disturbing questions about the proximity of members with then prime minister Patrick Manning, whose rival for PNM leadership for years was Rowley.

To date it has never been explained why the commission wrote Manning on October 19, 2004, signalling its intention to investigate Rowley on Landate. The commission would later admit that it “rushed” the probe and forwarded the file to the DPP without giving Rowley a chance to defend himself.

Police also later found no evidence against Rowley.

Perhaps all of this is par for the course for a body that is supposed to be a watchdog over politicians.

It can hardly be a surprise that politicians would find themselves at both ends of the stick.

However, the most pressing reason why it is time to reconsider the existence of this body is its failure to the public.

The whole point of the commission is to allow disclosure of ties between public officials and business interests. Despite the technology being available, the commission has repeatedly failed to facilitate access to the Register of Interests online. A system of notice/personal appointments to inspect same acts as an effective chill to scrutiny.

Without this vital function, the commission is a complete waste of time.

The PNM has pledged to introduce stiffer penalties for errant MPs. It should review the commission and go full speed ahead with its desire to introduce a better scheme of ethics regulation.

The decision was taken after Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley requested his colleagues at the Caricom Heads of Government meeting which ended yesterday in St George’s, Grenada, to include the issues facing Venezuela on the agenda.

Chairman of the conference, Grenada Prime Minister Dr Keith Mitchell was mandated to write to the parties in Venezuela making the offer. In a statement on the matter issued yesterday following a closeddoor session, the Heads reaffirmed Caricom’s “guiding principles of the adherence to the rule of law, respect for human rights and democracy, as well as for the fundamental principles of non-intervention and non-interference in the internal affairs of states.” The Heads continue to call for “all parties to commit to engage in renewed dialogue and negotiations leading to a comprehensive political agreement with established time tables, concrete actions and guarantees to ensure its implementation for the well-being of the nation.” Yesterday, Rowley also asked the conference to clarify whether Caricom was disengaged from “the troubling issues surrounding West Indies cricket.” He recommended “that we again empanel a committee on cricket and re-engage that issue and pursue it, in spite of the frustration, to bring some kind of resolution.

I do not think that it is helpful for us to concede that we no longer have an interest.” As a former member of the committee, he said, “I would like to make myself available and to encourage my colleague from Grenada to come back to the committee, so that we can have a team of members to stay engaged on the matter of West Indies cricket.” Outside of the meeting, Rowley met with met with representatives of the US State Department for talks on issues of mutual interest which included trade and security.

On security, the US acknowledged that it was capable of providing increased support to Trinidad and Tobago and pledged to do more. Rowley noted the need for a strengthened partnership, specifically in the areas of training, equipment and information sharing.

Yesterday, Rowley also toured the Sandals LaSource Grenada.

Sandals is expected to open a similar resort in Tobago.

The MP was just about to be sworn into office as a minister but assumed she had the right to bring anyone she wanted to President’s House. Because she was going to be made a minister, the security personnel did not feel it was within their power to question the incoming minister.

This is a norm in our small society, where position or influence endows one with “powers that (they) don’t have.” No little security person dares question the actions of the minister-to-be, not even where the security of the President and Prime Minister is involved.

That, unfortunately, is the culture of our little slice of paradise, which basically accounts for the failure of the authorities to deal with the multitude of misdeeds of the leaders of the country.

The action of the Prime Minister may sound the clarion call for change of this reprehensible, demeaning behaviour, if such action can be sustained.

Heads must roll when such behaviour is engaged in for people to realise that they cannot continue to disregard security or protocol because they hold high office.

KARAN MAHABIRSINGH Carapichaima

According to a statement issued by the ANSA McAl Group of Companies (ANSA McAL) yesterday, “this was done with a live simulation exercise at the ACL compound” located at ANSA McAL Industrial Park, Tumpuna Road, South Guanapo.

“The exercise was based on several scenarios such as activating a fire alarm, evacuating the building, as well as an overall response assessment to the emergency fire call.” The emergency response exercise was led by Denis Jones of the Arima Fire Station while ANSA McAL Group HSE manager Nixon Gangoo facilitated the drill alongside Andrus Retoo, HSSE and facilities manager, ANSA Polymer Limited and Leon Ajodha HSSE manager, ANSA Coatings Limited.

“The exercise was a resounding success as it highlighted the effectiveness of the internal emergency response teams as well as build on relationships with the Fire Service, the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management and the Arima Disaster Management Unit,” ANSA McAl said.

“It is with great disappointment that we learned via the media of the postponement of the upcoming election for Political Leader of the Congress of the People,” said Seepersad- Bachan.

“The party is yet to provide details as to the reasons which led to this decision.

“In the absence of such details, we are of the firm conviction that the constitutionally due elections should be allowed to proceed as scheduled for Sunday 9th July.

“Our campaign manager, Ms Aleena Ali, is currently in the process of engaging the party with a view to convening a meeting with all candidates and affected parties, as we seek to arrive at a meaningful solution to the problem.”

Speaking with Newsday on the launch he said guesting with him on the night are other gospel acts Blessed Messenger, Jaron Nurse, Positive, Rizon and Gates Praise , with Jamie Thomas as host.

For Isaacs, serving as a gospel worship leader for the past fourteen years at the Church of the Nazarene Trinidad music ministry has become one of his greatest priorities.

The 25-year-old Isaacs defines himself amongst the top gospel ministers both locally and regionally.

He said: “Good Morning was the first song I released and it paved the way for a lot of things that took me across the Caribbean, and was nominated for both the Caribbean Marlin Awards – Gospel Soca Performance of Year, and the Trinidad and Tobago Youth Awards for Creative Arts.” He added that locally, since the release of Good Morning, it has made waves and allowed him to share the stage with some renowned International Gospel Ministers, including the legendary Alvin Slaughter, Travis Greene , Mali Music, Jessica Reedy, Israel Houghton & New Breed, Tye Tribbett and Todd Dulaney Isaacs continued to minister at various local and regional gospel events including Antigua’s Gospel Fest, where he headlined alongside Sunday Best Winner Joshua Rodgers, Sherwin Gardner and Positive.

Then came his second single Sweeter than Honey, another groovy soca song that speaks about God’s love for us, that has already won the 2017 Marlin Award for Caribbean song of the Year 2017.

Isaacs said: “The Marlin Awards is the highest music awards for gospel music in the Caribbean and that song has also been nominated in five categories for the Prayze Factor Awards 2017.” The Prayze Factor Awards is based in Atlanta, Georgia and will be held in August.

Between that time and now Isaacs will continue to live by this scripture “No good thing will He withhold from them who walk uprightly” Psalms 84:11.

However his main focus now is the upcoming launch of his album in two weeks time.

The team arrived in TT on Tuesday and will return to Canada next week Tuesday. The team will play in a number of matches, including fixtures against the national Under-15 and Under-17 outfits. There will also be a reception, sightseeing and opportunities to meet locals to learn about the country’s culture. They will also meet international cricket star Brian Lara.

Over the past 10 years, Cricket Across the Pond has allowed about 125 young players from the GTA to travel and play in countries such as England, Sri Lanka and now TT.

All-rounder Hasan Khan, 20, is excited to be in TT. “I am honoured, you know. Going from Canada to the West Indies, where cricket is played internationally, it means a lot to me,” Khan said.

Eighteen-year-old all-rounder Saif Rizwan, says he is looking forward to his first game in Trinidad. “I couldn’t believe it first,” Rizman said. “When I told my dad, he was like, ‘Is this a prank or something?’ And everyone, my cousins and my friends in high school, are all very excited,” he said. At 15, bowling all-rounder Adrian Hackett is the youngest to make the 2017 team. “I am from the Caribbean and I have never been able to travel to the Caribbean to play cricket. So it’s a nice opportunity to go,” he said.

While Khan, Rizwan and Hackett are from Mississauga, the other nine players on the team – Jagrit Dewan, Jediah Navaratne, Nabil Farooqui, Nikhil Patel, Moazam Qureshi, Abdullah Khokhar, Matthew Seepersaud, Mamik Luthra and Wasiq Zia – represent Whitby, Milton, Markham, Brampton and Toronto.

While their skill in cricket helped them make the team, community involvement was another large part of the selection process.

Vinod Sharma will serve as the team’s manager and coordinator, while Tim Stone is the coach.

Meteorologist at the Meteorological Office in Piarco Akil Nancoo said Tobago was feeling the effects more than Trinidad.

“We anticipate that the conditions would continue overnight and even tomorrow (today) with showers and thundershowers, but that would be more ITCZ (Inter Tropical Convergence Zone) related,” he said.

Nancoo said they have not received any reports of flooding, however, South Quay in Port-of-Spain was flooded for a while as heavy rains drenched the city with afternoon showers, adding there were reports of thunder by several people.

He said sea conditions were slight to normal, but in the areas experiencing showers and thunder showers, the water may become choppy at times especially out at sea in the Gulf of Paria.