There usually follows the well-timed intervention of the Police and the “criminalising” of a train of speculative and exaggerated events that would whip the public into unthinking pandemonium giving internal consent to the lies and deceit triggered by the Prime Minister.

The PNM led by then Prime Minister Manning used this tactic against Satnarine Sharma. Chief Magistrate McNicols played the part Bharath plays today. It is the same tactic used against the former Prime Minister, Mrs Persad-Bissessar, Jerlean John of the HDC, the last Attorney General and a host of other institutional and political heads that the PNM wishes to change.

The problem with this unsavory approach is that it debases and belittles the state institution involved. When an “institution” is attacked and belittled its devaluation in the eyes of the public remains with the public as a permanent and lasting impression of the value of that institution.

Hence, when the Office of the Attorney General was debased and criminalised first by Manning and then by Rowley the disrespect for that office still stands – never mind who holds that office! The respect and value intrinsic to the office itself have all but disappeared.

Thus Rowley continues that PNM habit of dismantling the institutions of state to suit his selfish political ends in the facile hope that when he installs a PNM puppet to do his bidding the fact that he is the puppeteer his political stock would be sufficient to restore some semblance of respect to that institution and its head. Well, Dr Rowley is living a delusion.

Steve Smith via email

Led by the Chairman of the CDA, Gupte Lutchmedial, a team comprising staff of the CDA, volunteers including the Island Homeowners of the Gaspar Grande Island and members of the Zoological Society of Trinidad and Tobago engaged in clean-up operations on the island.

While all eyes were on the Diego Martin area which was the first selected area under the campaign, the CDA was simultaneously engaged in a general clean up of the island and sprucing up of the entrance of the Gasparee Caves.

Lutchmedial was able to provide specifics on several of the activities undertaken during what turned out to be a two-day operation. “Over 500 metres of walkway leading to the entrance of the Gasparee Caves was brushcut and cleared, repairs were done to railings, some of the graffiti were cleaned and we carried out a general clean-up of the island,” said Lutchmedial. He added, “We picked up in the vicinity of 30 bags of litter from just the immediate environs of the caves.” Asked about the upkeep of the area following this concerted clean-up exercise, Lutchmedial raid, “A regular maintenance programme is in existence, but this must be supported by a change in our practices as it relate to disposal of litter and recycling must be part of the solution.” The CDA Chairman is calling for a better appreciation for this national heritage asset by the various users of the cave, making reference to the pride of place that is afforded to Harrison’s Caves in Barbados.

In sharing the CDA’s plan for the state of the peninsula, Lutchmedial stated, “The clean-up will be extended to all the islands and we intend to continue efforts already started at Chacachacare.

He reminded that earlier on in June 2016, for World Environmental Day, the Minister of Planning and Development, Camille Robinson-Regis had participated in clean-up activities at Chacachacare.

Southex is responsible for producing the Annual Chutney Soca Monarch competition, indicating that the NCFTT cannot and has no control over any privately run competition.

He also added that the government can be accused of aiding and abetting the infringement of the copyright laws by funding a competition which is allegedly violating such IP laws.

Last week there was a protest with chutney singer Ramrajee Prabhoo lamenting that it was hard for them as composers of original material getting overlooked while other artistes with plagiarised music were getting better placings. She also went as far as to call on the Prime Minister to intervene in the matter.

When contacted yesterday, Dr Nyan Gadsby-Dolly, Minister of Community Development, Culture and the Arts said: “The government’s traditional support of Chutney Soca Monarch is based on its value to Chutney Soca practitioners and enthusiasts specifically and the Carnival landscape in general.

We are certain that the organisers of this competition have heard and understand the grievances of the artistes who have spoken out and one expects that they will continue to take all necessary steps to maintain the quality and indigenous nature of this competition in accordance with its rules.”

The proposal is contained in the party’s 100-point plan which forms part of its Tobago Mandate, titled: A Better Tobago Through PDP THA Governance.

The PDP, led by President of the Public Services Association (PSA) Watson Duke, is one of four political parties contesting next Monday’s Tobago House of Assembly (THA) election. The fledgling party is fielding 12 candidates in the poll.

Tobago has experienced several brutal murders over the years, involving both nationals and visitors to the island – a situation that continues to affect its once thriving tourism sector.

The PDP, in its Mandate, said it intended to pass an Assembly law or the formation of a Tobago Police Department, under the provision of the THA, for a more effective service to the island, especially given the increasing focus on tourism.

In tandem with the proposed establishment of the Tobago Police Department, the PDP said it also intends to reintroduce the Community Comfort Patrols “to work closely with the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service in all 12 electoral districts while the Tobago Police Department is being implemented.” Among other proposals contained in its 100-point plan, the PDP said it also intends to seek permanent employment status for people who have exceeded seven- year working arrangements in the Community-Based Environmental Protection and Enhancement Programme (CEPEP), Unemployment Relief Programme (URP) and contracted monthly paid workers.

Also in the plan is a proposal to develop what the party calls a Tobago Land Title Project.

The party said it hoped the agency would “engage the national Government for a solution to the longstanding problem of land titles and deeds for inherited Tobago lands.” Meanwhile, talk on the ground among many people in Tobago is that the PDP stands a fair chance of winning some of the electoral districts, particularly in Tobago East, where its political leader, Duke, was born.

The party held a public meeting in Goodwood on Saturday to present its 12 candidates and was expected to host a motorcade, yesterday, from Moriah to Charlotteville.

NCC Chairman, Kenny de Silva said yesterday: “We are coming out with a joint statement tomorrow, indicating that the NCC will be handling the gates for the carnival shows and we’ll be doing an audit after, and the Special Interest Groups (SIG’s) will manage their shows.” He added: “We are dealing with all revenue aspects of the Panorama and all payments pertaining to that show. Pan Trinbago would be paid a management fee to be decided upon in terms for what they need for Panorama, and a similar situation exists with TUCO (Trinbago Unified Calypsonians Organisation), and we already have the Mas.” Told there was talk of pan, Mas and kaiso being put back together on Dimanche Gras night de Silva said: “That has not been settled.

That composition hasn’t been worked out as yet.” And when asked who is producing Dimanche Gras and what will be the format? De Silva responded that in collaboration with TUCO, the NCC will be producing Dimanche Gras but stated that the format is still evolving.

Calls to TUCO president Lutalo Massimba and acting Pan Trinbago president Richard Forteau all went unanswered.

However a reliable source from TUCO said at last week Saturday’s General Membership Meeting to discuss Carnival 2017, the majority of members voted for 16 finalists singing one song each.

The source added that the only way that will change is if the NCC took control of Dimanche Gras and go for eight finalists including the reigning monarch, each rendering two songs.

As for the various Panorama competitions that were to start last week, the only schedule dates that are certain are Tobago Single Pan preliminaries beginning this Thursday and the National Panorama Conventional Bands Semi Final will be held Saturday February 11.

Guests were asked to wear black and for the most part they obliged. Angostura had on hand, Global Brand Ambassador Daniyel Jones, and other top notch bartenders to mix cocktails for the occasion while first class chefs Paul Mowser and Jason Huggins prepared food to pair with the cocktails.

Then to entertain the crowd was Black Sage (Phillip Murray) who did some extempo on topics presented to him by the media. Here are some highlights.

In what is the biggest draw in the history of the tournament, players competed fiercely for spots in the next rounds.

Reece Marcano from Shuttleforce, the number one seed in the Under 15 Boys age group and the nominee for the First Citizens Bank Sports Foundation’s Junior Sportsman of the Year, did not disappoint as he swept aside his opponent to register a 21-8 21-4 win in the second round and will take on Reval Jagessar in the quarterfinals. Other players advancing to the quarterfinal round include Justin Samaroo, Caesar Edwards, Jae Marc Tagallie, Donovan David, Daniel Lewis and Zion St Rose.

In the Under 11 Boys category, seeded players in the top half of the draw struggled as both Andrew Babwah and Tad Isaac fell to newcomers Nadav Singh and Aditya Maharaj, who will meet each other in the first semi-final.

Seeded players in the bottom half of the draw however held their nerve as Number two seed, Jace Smith and third/fourth seed Jamahi Mason made it safely through the draw and will meet each other in the second semi-finals.

Three of the four semi-final births were decided in the Girls Under 11 category with all of the seeded players advancing to the semi-final. Amara Urquhart from CBAC and Yelena Lewis from FMT will square off against each other while T’Shelle Barnes awaits the winner of the match between Kaylee Noel and the number two seed Nicha Fraser.

Boys Doubles Under 11 action got underway with Nadav Sindh and Jamahi Mason advancing to the next round.

The number one and two seeds in the Boys Singles Under 13 category, Travis Sinanan and James Babwah were given byes in the first round, joining Nicholi Marcano, Seth Mollah, Samuel Lewis and Tyrell La Morelle in the quarterfinals.

Two matches went the distance with Asa Dass defeating Godrian Jones 14-21 21-19 21-12 and Kye Isaac overcoming Jashaun Auguste 21-18 17-21 21-15. Only three matches were played in the Girls Singles Under 13 category as other players received byes to the quarterfinal round. Defending champion Danae Boodoosingh will start the defence of her title on Saturday as she meets Nicha Fraser in the quarterfinal round.

There were no surprises in the Boys Singles Under 17 competition as all seeds, led by Number one Vance Juteram, advanced to the next round. He is on course to meet number two seed in the opposite side of the draw, Leon Cassie.

Only one of the seeded players in the Girls side of the draw was in action yesterday with Waynetta Thomas taking care of Maryam Mohammed, 21-10 21-10. She will be joined by Sandya Cassie, Britney Lewis and Chequeda De Boulet who all received byes in the first round. In the lone Boys Singles Under 19 match, Jason Maloney defeated Jamie Narine 21-14 21-18.

Finals will be held on Saturday at the same venue with keen competition expected from all age groups.

The federation noted that by 2040 this figure would rise to 60.5 million.

According to www.

world-heart-federation.org, 15 million people, worldwide, suffer a stroke. The site noted six million die and another five are left permanently disabled. The article said: “In many developed countries the incidence of stroke is declining even though the actual number of strokes is increasing because of the ageing population.

“In the developing world, however, the incidence of stroke is increasing. In China, 1.3 million people have a stroke each year and 75 percent live with varying degrees of disability as a result of stroke. The predictions for the next two decades suggest a tripling in stroke mortality in Latin America, the Middle East, and sub-Saharan Africa.” While these statistics are reasons enough for Dr Gerard Antoine wanting to do something about diabetes and strokes in TT, it is having lost his mother at a young age that prompted him into a career in the medical profession.

Antoine’s mother died during childbirth at the San Fernando General Hospital in 1972.

Fast forward decades later and Antoine has returned to his place of birth wanting to share his medical knowledge gained in the US to fight against diabetes and strokes in TT. The Stroke and Diabetes Centre is under construction at 10 Piarco Plaza, Trinidad. It will begin operations on January 27.

In an interview with Newsday Antoine said, “I left Trinidad at the age of 14 after the death of my mother at a local hospital. My family immigrated to the US and we moved to Chicago…” Antoine then joined the US Army at 17 and studied medicine at Georgetown Medical School and National Rehabilitation Center, Washington DC. Antoine is a physiatrist – a medical doctor who specialises in physical medicine, rehabilitation and pain medicine.

Antoine said his goal, after completing medical school was always to return home and, “have something to do with the medical fraternity in TT.” Antoine said he almost specialised in obstetrics and gynaecology but after having met a Trinidadian doctor who was a physical, medical, rehab physician he changed his mind.

The US certified physiatrist was deployed during the Iraq and Afghanistan wars as a general physician. But he spent a vast majority of his time treating and doing pain management, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury and seeing stroke patients.

Antoine retired on October 1, 2016, after spending over three decades in the US Army. “For the past five years I have planned my coming home to establish the Stroke and Diabetes Centre,” he said.

He has partnered with college, Dr Marshalee George from the John Hopkins Institute to get the centre up and running in TT.

The nurse practitioner, he added, would be returning to TT.

The centre intends to offer physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, lymphedema therapy, a cancer survivorship programme, diabetes management, EMG (electromyography) and nerve conduction study as well as general and primary care services.

It also offers executive medical exams, mental health counselling, ultrasound guided musculoskeletal injections, non-communicable disease screenings, electronic medical records, after summary visit, EKGs (electrocardiograms), spirometry, body analysis, blood tests and urinalysis.

Antoine said in a country where there are four to five times the number of strokes per 100,000 as compared to the US or Canada or most western developed countries, there should have been a multidisciplinary stroke programme in TT.

“Because there is that significant void Dr Marshalee George and I from John Hopkins University decided to do this here,” he said. Antoine said despite repeated attempts to reach out to the different regional health authorities and the Ministry of Health he has had no response. This led to him starting his own practice and centre.

Ultimately, Antoine intends to hold a top post within the local medical fraternity. Antoine also started the group Caribbean Medical Providers Practicing Abroad.

The group would be hosting its fourth annual medical conference and community outreach programme on June 9 to 11 in Barbados

Crystal Wright CONSERVATIVE writer and talk show host Crystal Wright launches a withering indictment on the US Democratic Party in her controversial, Con Job: How Democrats gave us crime, sanctuary cities, abortion profiteering and racial division.

On the heels of an overwhelming bicameral victory by the Republican Party and the unlikely presidency of its candidate, Donald Trump, Democrats and political pundits are still grappling with the far-reaching question: What went wrong? Wright’s Con Job offers some clues. Written just a few months before the presidential elections, Wright indicts the Democrats for courting racist peddlers and deliberately inflaming racial discord for political mileage. The Black Lives Matter movement and Al Sharpton’s National Action Network are singled out.

She accuses them of deliberately ignoring black-on-black crime, a national crisis she views as a plague that has turned the inner cities into wastelands.

She argues that police officers are not enemies of blacks nor are they occupiers of black neighbourhoods.

She is alarmed that the media have fanned the flame of hatred by not challenging the vacuous charges against law enforcement.

Wright’s incendiary thesis emerges from personal tragedy; her grandfather, a thriving businessman was murdered by black thugs. Her searing pain has found a vent in the excoriating pages of Con Job.

She argues that the Democratic elite has promoted black servitude and rightfully states that it was the Democratic Party that fought against the dismantling of slavery. Somehow the elite has managed to convince blacks that they are better served under the Democratic banner. Creating a bloated welfare state to which blacks are beholden, Democrats have pulled off a political sleight of hand. Despite inner cities that are nothing more than breeding grounds for violence, fatherlessness, lassitude and economic dependency, Democratic politicians continue to woo and win black voters. As long as handouts are readily available the black vote is guaranteed. Every Democrat running for president has won the black vote but inner cities remain a festering wound.

Interestingly, despite promising to overhaul the inner cities president- elect Donald Trump won a mere eight percent of the black vote.

Charging Democrats with conning blacks, Wright echoes the enduring quote from Voltaire: “It’s difficult to free fools from the chains they revere.” Clearly, if we are to believe Wright, blacks have been hoodwinked – victims of yesterday and today.

Yet Wright is icy without understanding or a dose of mercy.

This coldness is overpowering when she discusses the plight of hundreds of children – victims, no doubt, who made the perilous trek across the US border from Central America. Her acrimony has little patience for historiography and sociological narratives.

She hastily invites us to see her world through her own prejudices. She cites statistics to salvage a presentation that is bloated with political smearing, yet her painful sensibilities are overpowering. The result is an unapologetic and brutal testimony that falls short on multiple levels. She bends and ignores facts that challenge her position, and moreover, seems disinterested in finding veritable, workable solutions to a very real problem.

She is unmoved by stop and frisk procedures by law and enforcement that overwhelmingly targets blacks and in itself is a violation of the 14th Amendment which protects against unreasonable searches and seizures. She fails to mention that deportation rose astronomically under the Obama administration, insisting that the 44th president deliberately encourages illegal immigration.

But short on reason, Wright might have given comfort to a fifth column in American society that has existed long before the birth of black radicalism.

Racial violence did not suddenly emerge in the 1960s as Wright states. The lot of black America, as any other demographic must be contextually addressed. Ironically, Con Job borders on verbal lynching ironically bleeding the very hatred it purports to combat.Moreover, it risks being used by racists to advance their perversion. Con Job is potentially biblical to fascists and white supremacists – of which there is no shortage in the US. It is their evidence, their “told you so” vindication.

Unfortunately, under the guise of scholarly enquiry some black writers, such as Wright, have turned their pens against their own, and have unwittingly or wittingly turned back the hands of time.

In Wright’s ultra conservative world there is no room for Michelle Alexander’s The New Jim Crow that leans heavily on the historical thread that runs through a judicial system that she deems unjust. Would that Wright and Alexander – two disparate voices on the same issue could find common ground if only for the sake of a black America in sore need of real solutions.

Con Job: How the Democrats gave us crime, Sanctuary Cities, Abortion Profiteering, and Racial Division by Crystal Wright Regnery Publishing, 2016 Available at Amazon Rating; recommended

It’s this book published by the University of the West Indies Press that had me considering those Internet stories that swore Donald Trump’s wife wore a pantsuit to the debate to express covert support for Hillary Clinton or questioned why the Clintons wore purple in Hillary Clinton’s concession speech. I know purple is associated with royalty and many religions associate it with protection.

So I’m thinking, hmmmm… Is there something to these stories that your clothes reflect more than your mood? The Language of Dress… makes a compelling argument that it does. Looking at Jamaican society from 1760 to 1890, the author notes the difference in culture and dress among three main categories of Jamaican society: white, coloureds and Africans.

We take our ability to choose the clothes we wear for granted, and few of us give any thought to how slaves wore clothes. Slaves did not all dress alike, Buckridge tells us.

Some slaves could make their own clothes. Some slaves “lost” their mistresses clothes and redesigned them into their own garments. House slaves might get hand-me-downs from masters.

Slave dress reflected class, status and occupation.

Slave women, the author tells us, were often good seamstresses and they created clothes that made a statement. The law required slave owners to provide osnaburg fabric, but slaves did not want to wear this dull, coarse material.

Slaves made dyes and pigments – cashew nuts created a nice rusty colour. Slaves had innovative ways of making cloth, which included the use of tree bark. “Slave dress was deceptive,” writes Buckridge.

“To the European observer, a decently dressed slave was perceived as happy and contented. But for many slaves, dressing up was their way of escaping the reality of their suffering…” Buckridge chronicles the fascinating details of how the people of Jamaica – particularly slaves and free coloureds – dressed in clothes from their countries of origin, adapted their traditional clothes to fit the social, cultural and economic factors that defined their lives, and then used clothes as a creative form of rebellion. This, Buckridge demonstrates, is how free coloureds used bright colours, elaborate designs and large hats – ostentatious outfits that made a clear statement: ridiculing their mistresses’ opulence. This secret form of rebellion fell comfortably in the double entendre of old-time Carnival costumes such as that of the Dame Lorraine.

This form of non-verbal resistance gave an added sense of power because the message would be misinterpreted or most likely not even understood by the very people that free coloured mocked.

Head wraps also had a hidden message. Elaborate head wraps suggested something regal – like a crown. Women used head wraps to create a sense of individuality, and, Buckridge says, they could even be used to create an aura of flirtation. The head wrap could also be used to create a sense of community. Hats are yet another story filled with hidden messages.

When you read Buckridge’s book you will realise there truly was a language of dress