However Persad-Bissessar said she found Al-Rawi’s explanation about the reason for the sitting to be “out of this world.” She accused Al-Rawi of trying “to remove the egg from his face,” by claiming the mistake was one made by the Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) and the Office of the President.Saying that she has been involved in the selection of five election dates during her tenure as prime minister, Persad- Bissessar said the President does not determine election dates in TT. As she recalled that former prime minister Patrick Manning (deceased) often used to talk about having the election date “in his back pocket,” Persad-Bissessar quipped, “The election date is determined by the Prime Minister.”
Saying she “was cooking” at home when she received the summons for yesterday’s sitting, Persad-Bissessar wondered why an extraordinary sitting could not have been held to deal with rising murders in TT or with giving internal self government to Tobago.”

She questioned whether this was a case of lawmaker becoming lawbreaker. Referring to the recently passed Marriage Bill being converted from special majority to simple majority legislation, Persad-Bissessar asked Al-Rawi what kind of majority was needed to pass the THA Validation Bill. After calling on Al-Rawi to apologise to the country, Persad-Bissessar said while the United National Congress (UNC) is “totally out” of Monday’s THA election, she was advising Tobagonians to, “vote anybody except the PNM.”

On a lighter note, Persad- Bissessar praised Finance Minister Colm Imbert as “a brilliant man” and claimed the Government was “running on the brain power of the Member for Diego Martin North/East (Imbert).” Imbert looked on with amusement as Persad- Bissessar claimed he told her he was “large and in charge.” Opposition MPs laughed when Persad-Bissessar quipped she would only agree with the idea of Imbert being, “in charge.”

Invoking the same tones of his election campaign, Trump stood on the Capitol and pledged to work “for all our people.” He said he would put “America first” in all decisions, be it on trade, taxes, immigrants, or foreign affairs.

“I will never ever let you down,” Trump declared.

Yet many Americans already feel let down by the signals sent by Trump during his transitional months as President-elect. Worryingly, the new US President’s inauguration address did little to assure those disturbed by his campaign of xenophobia, misogyny, and racism.

Some, overwhelmed by their insecurity, took their sentiments onto the streets of Washington not too far from where the ceremonies were taking place.

Addressing pressing national security concerns, Trump said he would combat “radical Islamic terrorism”, though many will argue that terrorist acts by so-called Islamic radicals do not truly represent Islam. This cavalier use of language indicates a new approach.

Trump also quoted from the Bible, repeated populist rhetoric on the state of Washington politics without providing any substantial detail, and painted a dark picture of America.

“The establishment protected itself,” Trump said, now standing at the top of that establishment.

“We are transferring power from Washington DC and giving it back to you the people.” It was a lighter version of Ronald Reagan’s famous declaration, “Government is the problem.” Though he praised outgoing President Barack Obama — who leaves office with one of the highest approval ratings ever — Trump failed to mention Hillary Clinton, and had no words for the millions who voted for her. He outlined a general programme of action, signalling he would seek to let America shine in the areas of space exploration, disease eradication, energy, industries of tomorrow, and would seek to heal division.

He said all, whether “black, brown or white,” bleed the same blood. But he never reached the lofty heights of the inspiring rhetoric which his predecessor was capable of. It was more a campaign speech than befitting the President of the US. Which may have been the point.

In many ways, Trump enters office in a far better place than Obama did. In 2008, the US economy had collapsed due to the subprime mortgage crisis. Obama pledged change and while he did not achieve this to the extent that he would have hoped, he did turn the US economy around, effected radical social reforms in healthcare and on matters such as gay rights, and engaged in smart foreign affairs tactics. However, his legacy is not as secure as it would have been had Hillary Clinton won.

At the same time, Trump has many challenges ahead. The US Senate is investigating the role of Russia in the election and disturbing questions remain in relation to the hacking of US party officials as well as a dossier on Trump which alleges he was compromised and cultivated by Russia. Protestors who are dismayed by Trump yesterday made their presence felt.

The billionaire business magnate has also disturbed many by overseeing the appointment of Cabinet officials without proper disclosure of conflicts of interests. His own business arrangements also do not conform to the traditional ethics guidelines.

Trump’s rapid ascent has also damaged America’s standing in the world. His divisive policies and baffling war of words with his own national security agencies do not portend well for his foreign policy.

His policies towards immigrants and his racist following may yet embolden authoritarian leaders looking on. An America in turmoil is less likely to inspire confidence and respect. This is a new era for the world’s last superpower.

The court in Arima was teeming with people, the air electric with the frenzied drumming, stick-fight chants and excitement for the finals of the bois competition. As inevitably happens, someone got hit and it took a while for those attending to him to get the flow of blood under control.

I sat there with the rest of the crowd waiting for the competition to resume, hoping that the bois man would be fine. In the lull, I remembered the story of someone’s eye being knocked out his head in another competition some years ago, and how close a member of my own family came to suffering that same fate.

A group of us artists talked about this issue this week; the fact that artists across the spectrum are generally not protected, and have little to no recourse if they hurt themselves or fall ill while practising their craft.

The case of the stick fighter is especially urgent as there is no type of protective insurance that is available to them or their families. Similarly, I am not aware of any provisions for calypsonians who fall ill, panmen who suffer hearing challenges, dancers who damage their knees, or for mas makers who create using dangerous materials.

Why is it important to ensure that artists have access to structured healthcare? Perhaps the slogan of one Canadian organisation says it best — “keeping artists creating art”. Globally, it is recognised that the arts enrich communities.

Beyond entertainment, the arts often provide unique perspectives to socio-political issues, they offer solace because of their therapeutic qualities, and imbue confidence and a sense of well-being.

Although we are slowly moving towards the acceptance of the creative arts as a life pursuit, it has not reached to the point where the majority of artists can choose to work full time as a playwright, an actor, a Pierrot or a wire-bender.

So, as one online magazine pointed out, “as freelancers, many members of the creative community — writers, artists, and film-makers — often struggle to find the best health insurance for themselves and their families. Since artists typically do not work as employees, they are not eligible for insurance through a company.

And it’s not always an option to tag onto a partner’s or parent’s policy.” Yet, in many ways, we depend on artists to provide viable economic alternatives.

Our Carnival is the largest and most complex of our festivals, taking place over many months, showcasing several genres of musical styles, performing arts and masquerades.

Additionally, outside of this period, our festivals represent our intricate cultural, ethnic and religious fusion.

These creative concepts provide work to people to turn them into live works of art.

The art is then the reason why visitors and diaspora nationals come, filling hotel rooms, taking taxis, eating local food, buying memorabilia and all the other activities that help to fuel our economy.

Providing care for artists should therefore be viewed as an essential aspect of the structure that surrounds the arts. This is a responsibility not just for the Government, but for the associations that represent artists.

Unfortunately, as the very public and embarrassing problems with Pan Trinbago have shown, we may have come a long way towards accepting the arts as part of our social fabric, but there is an even greater distance to be covered to put the needs of the artist first. It is imperative that we stem the flow of artistic blood; it is time to recognise that the life of the artist is deserving of being protected.

D a r a Healy is a perform a n c e artist and founder of the NGO, the Indigenous Creative Arts Network – ICAN

Police investigators believe persons were aware that George had to report to the Maracas St Joseph Police station weekly as a condition of his bail and his movements were carefully monitored. With regard to Ali, police believe he was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Yesterday, work resumed at the Maracas St Joseph Police Station but officers on duty said the incident on Thursday left them traumatised.

President of the Police Social Welfare Association Inspector Michael Seales said the executive of his Association will be meeting with the officers who were on duty on Thursday when the station was shot at and PC Lalchan grazed in the head. Yesterday, a manhunt continued for six men believed to have been involved in the shooting of George and Ali and the attempted murder of PC Lalchan. Residents have told police that they fear reprisal killings will follow as Mice Man’s associates seek to take revenge.

On Thursday at 3.30 pm, George and Ali was on their way to the Maracas Bay Police station to sign a book at the station as a condition of George’s bail when they were ambushed by persons in two vehicles, who rammed a vehicle driven by Ali, forcing it off the road. After killing both men, the gunmen proceeded to fire at the Maracas St Joseph police station which resulted in PC Lalchan being grazed in the head. The officer was released from hospital yesterday.

Yesterday, Head of Northern Division Senior Superintendent McDonald Jacob said that an operational meeting was held and a decision taken to increase the manpower strength at the Maracas St Joseph Police Station as well as some other stations. He said if it means placing sentry guards at the station, then this will be done. The divisional head assured residents of Maracas St Joseph and other areas in the Northern Division that patrols have been increased and surveillance work beefed-up in a bid to deal with crime.

The exercise was carried out on Thursday, in the Eastern Division in the forested areas of Charuma and Navet under the supervision of Inspector Andy Teewarie.

Eight fields which occupied four lots of land, equivalent to 2.04 hectares, consisting of 31,200 seedlings, 26,000 fully grown marijuana trees and ten pounds of cured marijuana trees, were found, uprooted and destroyed. No arrest was made during the course of the exercise.

“When the first gunman saw me and cocked his gun, all I could do was pray,” the man commented on Facebook while going on to reveal that a gun had been placed to his wife’s head while she was seated in the family’s car outside the supermarket.

Another child was in the car. He said the gunmen wanted her cell phone.

“My daughter Hayleigh (was) scared out of her mind while I hugged her and hid behind a lane hoping they wouldn’t come for us,” he wrote on his Facebook page. According to a police report, at 9.05 pm on Thursday, Chinese national Xiao Quan We was at his business place when two men armed with guns entered and announced a hold-up. The report stated that they proceeded to rob the cashier of $2,000 before escaping in a silver vehicle.

“Thank God no one was injured or killed here tonight. I can officially say Trinidad is the worst.

Thank you God for protecting me and my family and everyone else who were present,” the man wrote. Police said Cpl Morris, PCs Dhoray and Blackwell along with other officers of the Criminal Investigation Department, Rapid Response Unit, Southern Division Task Force responded. Police said they are working on several leads and an arrest is imminent.

PC Dhoray is continuing investigations.

Mohammed, 40, and his common- law wife Luenda Anthony, 29, were killed in an attack at their home in Guapo shortly after midnight last Tuesday.

They were both shot in their bed as they slept at their home in Limefield Road, Cochrane Village. Mohammed was shot twice in the head while Anthony was shot once to the head.

Mohammed’s sister Josanne John who delivered the eulogy said Mohammed was lovingly called ‘Jai’ as he was a huge fan of former Chutney Monarch Rikki Jai. John said Mohammed fell in love with Kelly Mc Dowell in 2003 and the marriage produced “three lovely children.” “He loved his kids and his family unconditionally,” John said, adding that he also loved playing loud music and would construct his own music box which he would bring out on special occasions. She also gave an account of her childhood days with her brother saying he loved going fishing and she also developed a love for this art.

Minister Carol Hackshaw who conducted the service said that such horrible crimes are happening at one’s doorstep and people should now turn to Jesus for mercy and blessings.

She noted that no harm can come to those who have the glory of God within them. “Tell the Prime Minister and the police and the army that the only answer to the crime in Trinidad and Tobago is God,” she said. She gave an account of a King who was faced with a huge battle with others who had a better army than him. “This King called on all his people to observe a fast and prayer. He called on everyone to do worship unto the Lord.

In the end, the powerful forces against him turned around and left,” she said, adding that as a nation we must to pray for the redemption of those involved in crime.

Anthony will be laid to rest on Monday following a funeral service at Elite Funeral Home in Point Fortin. She was the mother of a nine-year-old girl.

“We are living in a war zone,” cried a relative as he spoke to reporters yesterday. “It eh easy out here. There are a lot of criminals out on these streets. You just have to hold your corner and pray,” he added.

Relatives described John as a hard-working but quiet person who was a father of two boys, aged three years and nine months. John worked as a pipe fitter for WASA.

According to reports loud explosions were heard at about 9 am on Thursday along Savary Street in St Joseph. When persons checked they discovered the bullet-riddled body of John lying on the roadway. He was rushed to the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Centre but was pronounced dead on arrival.

Relatives told reporters that they did not believe he was the intended target of the gunmen.

An autopsy confirmed John died as a result of shock and haemorrhage due to multiple gunshot wounds. No one has been held in connection with his murder.

Among the latter is the untenable crime situation that has had the effect of leaving citizens from all walks of life almost paralysed with fear.

Of real concern is the violent nature of many of these crimes, usually perpetuated by men and, apart from the unfortunately “usual” homicides, the clear instances of wanton violence against our women and girls.

Part of our lamentations surrounds fatherhood: “men are absent”, “not in the home”, “neglect our responsibility”.

These accusations are held as just one of the reasons for our current criminal situation and, regrettably, in too many instances they are true.

However, it is baffling why in a society that supposedly wishes its men to “step up” to fatherhood there are systemic barriers placed in front of those of us who do wish to fulfil the role of a “real daddy”. For example: *A father cannot be present at his child’s birth in the public health system unless he manages to be present (away from work if allowed) for enough Lamaze classes — which negates premature births — and sometimes he is still not allowed anyway.

*There are instances where a man cannot sign his child out of a public hospital (I had this experience in Tobago); it must be the mother or another related female.

*The Single Fathers Association of TT was formed because men found they were not being given quality time with their children by the court system in the case of separation/divorce.

*There remains no policy for paternity leave in TT , so if a father does not have holidays to take he is forced to be away.

*Men who are behind on maintenance payments (for whatever reason) are treated as criminals by the law and can be found most easily on Beyond the Tape alongside those accused of other crimes. How then can we still expect change? Maybe I am wrong, but let’s see if continuing to lambaste fathers and leaving these barriers work in the long run.

Marlon Bascombe via email

The question is where were the newly appointed Rowley State board members at this meeting? These are the people charged with the responsibility to oversee the performance of the various State enterprises. They in turn are supposed to be monitored by their respective line ministers regarding their fiduciary obligations to the Ministry of Finance.

Indeed, the Minister of Finance appears to be delinquent in the performance of his duties if, as Corporation Sole, he does not ensure that State enterprises fulfil their statutory responsibilities mandated by legislation and regulation. Removed from his duties as chairman of the Cabinet-appointed Finance and General Purposes Committee, the minister is supposed to have a little more free time to at least focus on this element of his portfolio.

The general stagnation in the economy cannot be simply put at the doorstep of the management of State enterprises. The Government cannot absolve itself from its constitutional mandate and responsibility by passing the buck to public and contract officers.

The Minister of Finance and by extension the Government have not informed the public after two national Budgets of income-generating measures to attempt to arrest the economic decline in specific and detailed terms. Instead, various tax increases on the population, from online purchase tax to alcohol tax hike, seem to be the Government’s only method of increasing revenues.

The issue of auditing of State enterprises, however, in fairness, cannot be blamed on any administration or management. By virtue of legislation, most State enterprises are compelled to have their respective organisations audited by the Auditor General. Due to being short-staffed and under-resourced, the Office the Auditor General simply cannot perform its constitutional functions in a timely manner.

Successive political administrations have neglected to address this very important issue. Some State enterprises, however, have been given some leeway by the Ministry of Finance to utilise the services of private auditing firms.

The nation remembers all too well that in the months prior to the 2015 general election, Rowley held retreats with his team, strategising for when they took office. Kamla Persad-Bissessar however asserted during the hurly-burly of the election that the PNM simply did not have a plan for TT .

This assertion appears to be sadly prophetic as the economy is floundering with inertia and atrophy quickly diffusing throughout the Government. This contrasts sharply with the mandate given to all ministers and boards of the People’s Partnership government of “deliver, deliver, deliver” and “serve the people”.

Ministers of the PNM Government appear to be mostly active on social media, even staying away from the mainstream media. The general inaccessibility of the present administration by the media is contributing to the general feeling of hopelessness as there is nothing being told to the population as to what is being done to turn around the economy. Distracting the nation with the Marriage Act amendment from the serious of issues of failures in crime, the economy and healthcare will not work.

Devant Maharaj via email