I’LL FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT

Under fire over allegations of questionable spending on wine and other items at President’s House, as well as a controversial meeting with National Security Minister Edmund Dillon - presumably over the crime situation - Carmona did not refer specifically, yesterday, to any of the issues during a hard-hitting Republic Day Address to the Nation, but instead denounced the penchant by some in the society to smear people’s character.

“What also must not continue is the denigration and incessant disrespect we harbor for and against each other,” Carmona said in an address to commemorate Trinidad and Tobago’s 40th anniversary as Republican state.

“The public is fed up, yes fed up, not with me, but persons of suspect credentials and a dubious past, who hold themselves out as persons of integrity, fairness and knowledge.

We must remember, Trinidad and Tobago, that the public is not a select group of nay-sayers. The Trinidad and Tobago public is far more deciphering and knowledgeable.” In the wake of the recent media reports, the Office of the President issued a brief statement late Friday, saying that Carmona will address several issues raised in the public domain on Monday but gave no further details.

Yesterday, however, the President lamented that moral authority was diminishing in TT.

Harkening back to a period in this country’s history when the work of “great” journalists Therese Mills, George John, Hazel Ward, Holly Betaudier, Owen Baptiste, John Babb and others was the standard by which others were judged, Carmona said: “They continue to be my standard and I feel they must become our standard. Their stewardship was marked by civility, probity, comity, simple good manners and decency.” He stressed: “There is simply too much journalistic overreach going on today. There are some journalists and I repeat some, who denigrate without evidential basis, engaged in armchair journalism who hear something by the way and it becomes reliable news.” Carmona also trained his guns on reality media practitioners, whom, he felt, often lacked scruples.

“There are persons in reality media, who are bad examples for our children and the youth of this Nation.

Decent, law-abiding citizens must take a stance because it appears, that offensive is in and decency is out,” he said.

“Theirs has become the language of obscenity and racial slurs----yes, that small circle that is leading the national dialogue.

You are not the voice of the people because you have unfettered and unfair access to the press and media, because you have created blogs and videos that rely for viewership and followers, not on proper and responsible research and wisdom but on distortions and sensationalism.” The Head of State contended that “fairness, respect and international knowledge were still very much in and will always be the standard and foundation of a progressive society.” In his address, the President also alluded to the worsening crime situation, saying the menace continued to be of paramount concern and importance “as much to me as your President as it is for each of you- sitting at home every evening, watching the news and feeling disheartened and deflated at the spiralling rate of crime in our beloved Republic.” He added: “I will continue to fight the good fight and meet the challenges that accompany my attempts not only to confront and assist the ‘manchild’ in crisis but to proffer solutions that can work - yes, as I have always done, within the boundaries of my constitutional remit as President and yes, as a citizen of this beautiful country. Just like each of you, I too want this Republic to heal, flourish and be progressive.” Carmona said he was not in the business of what he called “an implementation deficit on social issues.” “I am in the business of genuine humanity and I have always expressed and actualized that genuine concern in my criminal law career and will continue to do so as President,” he said.

“Everyone is special and has a rightful place in this Republic, regardless of their neighborhood, their station in life, the community you live in and whether you come from north, south, east or west. Yes, Trinidad and Tobago, All lives matter.” Insisting that there must be informed dialogue on crime for real time solutions to emerge, Carmona said as a father, brother, son and friend, “I will not be indifferent or passive when young children are murdered, when little girls are abused and violated, when little boys lacking support and selfworth, join gangs to feel a sense of ‘belonging,’ when matriarchs are assaulted..” The President noted he did not attain his social conscience on assuming office “as many have.” “I cannot and will not stand back and simply look on,” he said, alluding to the Bail Boys Project, a pet initiative during his years as a criminal judge.

He observed that too many innocent people were suffering at the hands of a few.

“As adults, it is our duty and responsibility to safeguard our children and their well-being and give them the best chance possible to fully realise their potential as contributing citizens and pillars of this Republic, and the world, by extension,” he said.

“I believe in youth empowerment and on this day (Republic) we must re-energize ourselves to ensure that crime does not hamper the vision for an empowered youth.” Briefly addressing the environment, which he regarded as a looming crisis, Carmona said its abuse in the form of deforestation, illegal quarrying, climate change and wildlife extinction, “is very real...”.

“We have grown obsessed with cutting down trees, carving out quarries with impunity, the result of reckless and irresponsible commercial activity and squatting. The hills are being made bare and denuded.

“De f o r e s t a t i on brings with it, numerous negative effects like erosion and flooding, increase in greenhouse gases and loss of habitat for different species. If you decide to cut down a tree, I urge you, to plant a new one. As a nation, we have to become, individually and collectively, protectors of Mother Earth.” Reflecting on TT’s 40th anniversary of Republicanism, the President said the strength and fortitude of the country were epitomized in the bravery and courage of national intellectuals who crafted the Republican Constitution.

He urged citizens to play their part toward nation-building.

“Each of us must step boldly forth into the global landscape and be the game-changers and peace-makers that we can be, in our unique and individual ways, because we have been “forged from the love of liberty.” The President said, “all hands on deck must not be just talk”.