N Touch

Trainer Mendez squeezes ‘em

Trainer Glenn Mendez pulled another trick out of his hat yesterday when he won the Starter Allowance feature on the Arima Race Club Day-24 card at Santa Rosa Park, Arima, with lightly fancied Squeezed Moment. The four-year-old chesnut filly, who is a full sister to triple crown winner Carnival Messiah, was unable to go the early pace set by the Guv’nor, Splitting Image and Bajan connection and was settled in fifth of the eight-strong contest by rising apprentice Gary Laban. Laban seems to be growing in confidence after being called into the Mendez stable since he began working on his mount at the 600m-marker to bridge the gap opened by the Guv’nor. Sticking to the rails he raced into a challenging position before the corner, where Venezuelan jockey Carlos Marquez pulled the brakes on Guv’nor in order to angle him properly for the stretch run. On straightening, the Guv’nor still held the advantage but was tackled by Lovely Honoree on the outside and Squeezed Moment on the inner.

With about 300m to go it looked like any of the trio’s race only to see Squeezed Moment responding best under the continued batting by Laban to edge away and win the 1100 metres highlight, switched from the turf to the main course. The Guv’nor plugged on to hold second in the three-way photofinish from the fast finishing Lady Honoree and Splitting Image. Trainer Mendez, who sailed into the league of the trainers’ championships last week was a four-timer, won the prior event with Beautiful Mind to carry his score to 27, six clear of John O’Brien who went winless yesterday. O’Brien was unlucky not to add to his tally when Due Dillegence was edged out of the top spot by Undisputed in the 1750m Handicap, the supporting highlight on the 10-race card for West Indian bred three-year-olds.

Stadium rematch for Jabloteh, Connection

FOR THE second successive week, CL Financial San Juan Jabloteh will face W Connection in a rescheduled 2003 T&T Pro League confrontation, this time at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo. Today’s match will kick off at 4 pm and Connec-tion will, once again, be looking to narrow the advantage with Jabloteh. Jabloteh are atop the ten-team table with 29 points from 11 matches, five points ahead of Connection. But the “Savonetta Boys” failed to bridge the gap when they were held to a goalless draw by the San Juan squad.

Another rescheduled matchup is on the cards today. South Starworld Strikers will be keen to overtake Defence Force for third spot when they travel to the sister isle to face Tobago United at the Dwight Yorke Stadium, Bacolet from 4 pm. The Tobagonians, one of the season’s two debutants, are without a victory in their 11 matches and will be hard-pressed to stop the Starworld outfit who have been one of the league’s more consistent outfits.

Lara turns out for Barbados club side today

West Indies cricket captain Brian Lara will play for Maple in the Barbadian cricket circuit today. Lara, whose tremendous reputation makes him target of many teams worldwide, will represent Mount Gay Maple today in their sixth round Barbados Fire and Commercial Cup match against Police at Trents.

The world double record holder who recently played Carnival in Barbados visited the club during his short stint there and spoke to the youngsters about cricket as a career. It is reported that the Trinidadian was so impressed with the youngsters at the Maple club that he is going to play in their sixth round match today. Maple are currently joint second in Zone “A” of the tournament and the inclusion of Lara will be a tremendous boost to the club. Lara has many friends in the Barbados team and has been asked over and over in the past to turn up to play club cricket to boost the league. Lara’s visit to the club has more to do with development rather than helping the club win the title. It is his hope that he can encourage the youngsters to take to the game more and become focused on getting to the top. Lara who is a registered member of Queen’s Park Cricket Club (QPCC) has not turned up for the Tragarete Road side within the last few seasons and may now be expected to don his Parkite cap in 2004, when the opportunity arises. Queen’s Park is the oldest cricket club in Trinidad and Tobago and play in the Carib National League Division One competition.

Let this protest be

FOR GENERATIONS, the physically challenged have been the silent victims of neglect and discrimination in our society. More than two months ago, their pent up frustration erupted in  demonstrations aimed at focusing public attention on their plight and to shame the authorities into taking corrective action. As part of their protest, members of the Trinidad Chapter of Disabled People International set up a vigil outside the Wrightson Road premises of National Flour Mills where one of their members had been seeking in vain to obtain employment. Now we understand that the Police may soon move to break-up this vigil outside the NFM premises. At a news conference on Thursday, Prime Minister Patrick Manning expressed his regret that the situation had developed to the point where the Commissioner of Police might have to take action to ensure that the disabled group leaves the premises of the National Flour Mills.

We must now ask why? Has the protest been successful, has it achieved its objectives? Has any physically challenged person been employed by the company? Has any action been taken at all by the government or the business community to meet the justifiable and long-standing grievances of the country’s disabled persons? We believe the answer to these questions is no; so why are the Police planning to disband this entirely peaceful but determined vigil? It may be that the demonstration has become an embarrassment to NFM, in which case that is no reason to disperse the wheel-chaired protestors. The Police may have decided to act on the excuse that the vigil is obstructing the free movement of the pavement on the western side of Wrightson Road. That may be true but the reason, in this case, is absurd and acting on it will only serve, in our view, to add to the discrimination already inflicted on members of the disabled community.

If the Police can turn a blind eye to the legion of vendors who crowd and congest the busy streets and pavements of downtown Port-of-Spain with their large trays and boxes, then why are they singling out the small group of physically challenged persons who keep vigil on Wrightson Road every day? The fact is, this protest does not really constitute a public inconvenience since there are no residences along that section of Wrightson Road and very few, if any at all, pedestrians use that stretch of pavement. Instead of using the heavy hand of the law to disperse this peaceful demonstration, the Government should be making every effort to ensure equality of treatment for disabled persons in every area and facet of public life. The Prime Minister himself had indicated some months ago that only “certain shortcomings” had been holding up implementation of the Equal Opportunities Act which deals with cases of discrimination in our society. And even though a constitutional motion has been filed by a group of 21 disabled persons claiming discrimination because of this failure, nothing still has been done to have this Act implemented.

Mr Manning says that his next Budget would address the problems of the disabled community but, whether true or not, that is still only a promise. And, according to George Daniel, president of the TT branch of Disabled People International, they are fed up with getting only empty promises. With respect to National Flour Mills, protestors say the company remains unheeding to their applications for employment. Devon Garraway has failed in his bid over five years. And the company’s promise three weeks ago to hire a disabled worker has not been fulfilled. Physically challenged persons are determined to continue their protest and it is our view that they should be allowed to do so until their justifiable grievances are substantially addressed.

MANAGING GOOD LOOKS


Physical beauty arms a person with a kind of ready-made power and advantage. Mismanagement of “good looks” has resulted in many “good-looking” people being confused, abused, and refused. The beauty product industry is booming as self-esteem and social acceptance are increasingly based on “being sexy.”


Physical beauty ought to be viewed as a major form of responsibility. This perspective should be taken by those blessed with such beauty, and their mentors, parents, friends and advisors. Because of its nature, when beauty, or “good looks,” as we usually call it (for male or female) is regarded too casually, the danger element sets in. The inability to responsibly manage “good looks” has resulted in many “good-looking” people being confused, used, abused and refused. Physical beauty, arms a person with a kind of inherent or ready-made power and advantage in life’s affairs. This is the case from a very tender age, beginning with the “pretty child.” The extra attention and preferential treatment are spontaneously given in many cases. In the teenage years, the child’s conscious awareness of all these “advantages” and the corresponding empowerment, are dramatically increased. “Major advantages” become obvious to the child not only in terms of social life but also the economic. Pride may set in and prompt the child to use “good looks” as a weapon of manipulation.

Let’s not forget that this is exactly what brought the total downfall of the incredibly beautiful Lucifer. The most beautiful angel became the devil when “his heart was lifted up (in pride) because of his beauty” (Eze 28:17). Mismanaged “good looks” can not only transform men and women into virtual demons, but can, in a very real way, make them the target of demons. Beauty attracts a lot of vicious and subtle predators. Flattery is the name of the game. And with the flattery generally comes the flattening! In the perverted world of today, beauty is most times equated with sexuality or sex appeal. The “sexy” person is really supposed to be the beautiful person. The commercial world, universally seems to resolutely embrace the motto, “sex sells.” This is where women are ruthlessly exploited. From hardware lumber to condoms, the “sexy” woman in the skimpy bikini (or less) is the seller. The increase in beauty-consciousness is absolutely astounding. One can see that the beauty product industry is easily a multi- billion dollar one. And it’s a straight case of supply reflecting demand. Beauty is just becoming a bigger and bigger thing in terms of people’s self-esteem, self-image and social acceptance.

So many times the unwritten policy in the corporate world is that “you must be physically attractive.” In some cases, it’s actually a written rule. One of the greatest fears of growing old is that of “losing my beauty.” This has also created a big niche in the market, which has resulted in the massive anti-aging industry. Teenage young ladies are more pained than ever in their meticulous and frantic concern about their “looks.” The pressure is enormous. In seeking validation and affirmation of their beauty at the vulnerable adolescent stage, many of them easily become victims of sexual exploitation. The pressure is there “to prove” that you are sexy enough to be desired. At one time, beauty was almost exclusively “the pink skin and blue eyes” symbol. But we have had the “black is beautiful” revolution which has effectively dismantled the “pink skin” monopoly. “Black beauties” are prominent in every sphere of life today. There are those who stoutly argue that beauty strictly “lies in the eyes of the beholder.” It’s a case of what’s ugly for me may be beautiful for you, and vice versa. What does the Creator say? “You are all fearfully and wonderfully made” (Ps 139:14). We are all beautiful – skinny or fat, white or black. However, we all have to live with the reality of society’s standards every day, as unkind, unfair and silly as some of these may be.

It’s a fact that there are certain people who will readily impact the eyes of the majority, as being really “beautiful” (or handsome). This is where the extra care in managing good looks becomes necessary. From this practical viewpoint, even the Bible makes mention of people who were “goodly to look at” or “ruddy in complexion” (1 Sam 16:12) and so on. The Bible is nevertheless very clear and emphatic in pointing out that true beauty is not necessarily in the outside appearance, but in the heart and spirit of the person. The writings of the Apostle Peter state, “Let it not be outward adorning but the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit.” (1 Pet 3:4). For a young man or woman seeking a mate, the focus must not be on creating an attraction of lust, but love. God is love. Lucifer is lust. The more of God you possess, the more genuine love you will transmit, and attract. The Lord says, true beauty is in holiness (Ps 29:2). He also assures that “He beautifies the meek with salvation” (Ps 149:4). In a comparative look at physical and spiritual beauty, wise man Solomon gives this summary: “Favour is deceitful, beauty is vain, but a woman who loves the Lord is to be praised” (Pro 31:30). Overall, every person must be ever conscious of the fact that when the Creator God made you, He did it so that your body will be the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 6:19) not the so-called sexy symbol of lust, fornication and adultery. He has no problem in your being physically beautiful and dressing well. He only desires that you manage all this based on His scriptural guidelines. It’s all for His glory and your good.

Kudos for a Laventille son

THE EDITOR: Let me express my deep and consummate admiration for the efforts of Mr Lennox Smith and those others who have rivetted themselves to the cause of the Laven-tille Community in their gallant effort at addressing the crime situation in the area. The effort is most welcome at a time when most of the national community seems to have given way to criminal elements, and the decision-makers appear to be perplexed as to what to do about the expanding problem. I must say that the initiative taken by Mr Smith to take the bull by the horns comes as no surprise to Laventille since any one who has been following the community activities of this tireless Laventille-centric son of the soil will recall his aggressive efforts to reduce the un-employability of thousands of out-of-school youths via a massive training and education programme through the MLIO Trade Complex; his pioneering role in providing a variety of welfare services, the introduction of free legal aid for those who could not afford legal services and his many infrastructure assistance to squatter communities in Laventille.

I wish Mr Smith all success in his latest bid to eradicate the crime scourge in Laventille and environs. In typical style he has taken on a challenge that those who are better positioned to address it have been afraid to accept. Mr Smith the Laventille Community will continue to be grateful and may your efforts be rewarded and recognised fourfold. All the success on the historic Laventille Community Conference Workshop/Seminar On Crime Eradication in the area.


LAWRENCE CLARKE
Chairman, Beetham Community Development Organisation

Inadequate protection for abused women

THE EDITOR: It is reported that Julliette Cummings was murdered after obtaining legal protection by the courts from an abusive relationship. Since application of the law granting such protection, there have been quite a few similar murder cases and exhibitions of savagery. One becomes very concerned when public expressions betray sentiments that seem to say “so be it.” Logic dictates that the society seeks remedies. One wonders whether part of the problem lies in the limited legislation governing the powers of the courts in awarding such protection. Could the courts not be empowered to insist that the individual against whom the protection order is granted, be compulsorily made to undergo courses in anger management, psychological counselling and whatever those more expert in this area consider necessary?

Could it be that a better understanding by the accused and subsequent control of those forces leading to such irrational behaviour possibly minimise the frequency of such savagery? The law is a reflection of our society. We need to make fundamental modifications to some societal approaches and become realistic about what we propose to achieve, including forms of rehabilitation for offenders, in areas in which counselling has shown improved results. Otherwise, we are unlikely to see significant benefits for the society in spite of our best intentions. Upgrading the law in this area could possibly mean lives saved, less orphans and money well spent.


C E BERRIDGE
Newtown

Who is really sucked in?

THE EDITOR: Ms Dopwell is gracious in her appreciation of the intellectual gifts of ASPIRE members but expresses despair that we have allowed ourselves “to be sucked in by the International Planned Parenthood Federation, just to become an arm of that organisation.” (August 4). That is quite a charge. Frankly, I thought we had been sucked in by the reality of the thousands of abortions taking place under our noses and by the thousands who end up in our hospitals in need of care because of widespread, clandestine, unsafe practices.

I don’t suppose there is any prospect whatsoever that Ms Dopwell has been influenced by any agency external to Trinidad and Tobago? Like one of the world’s richest and most powerful multinational organisations, the Roman Catholic Church? Her moral standards and ethical precepts are undoubtedly all homegrown and Trini to the bone?


L DAVID
ASPIRE

Putting plaster on the sore

THE EDITOR: This letter is not to point fingers at anyone but to state my concerns about the strategies that have been implemented thus far to fight crime. Crime is a sociological problem and unless the entire society is involved no strategy will have long-term effects. As I see it we are just putting a plaster on the sore, but are not addressing how to stop the sore from spreading. Crime will not vanish overnight with roadblocks and early morning exercises. Crime will not go away with putting more police officers on the street, rehiring retired police officers, or utilising the armed forces. Crime must be attacked from its core, and law enforcement should be looked upon as a business. Let’s look at job satisfaction vs job description.

This is my five-year plan if I were in charge:
(1) First I will send all my law enforcement officers on refresher courses, as was done in the past — from the Commissioner to the officers on probation. There are new concepts and methods that have been used by Third World countries that should be implemented with a special emphasis on Community Policing and Sensitivity training.
(2) Take a serious look at salaries and retirement benefits for all law enforcement departments. Salaries should be increased and should be bi-weekly. Law enforcement personnel who wait for salary at the end of the month seek additional income elsewhere and many are susceptible to favours that carry a financial kickback.
(3) Community dialogue: The major players such as the business leaders, police officers, mayors, council men, and youth leaders with the media involved should be bi-weekly and reduced to monthly as the outcomes prove to be successful. I remember the days when police officers were invited to every wedding in the district, and would be informed when a stranger was in the village.
(4) Police officers should remain in their districts as long as possible. I remember in the 1980’s when police officers from other divisions were utilised and the havoc it created. These outside officers broke down the walls of trust that were established. We need to rebuild those walls with consistency. Transfer should not be a tool of discipline. All the transfer really does is create another disgruntled officer. I speak from experience.
(5) Businessmen need to come together and reinvest some of their profits back into the communities that support them on a daily basis. Team up with schools, and the government and give out scholarships, finance workshops for the unemployed, thereby empowering citizens (especially the youth) who at present see a bleak future.
(6) Change the way in which reports are documented and investigated. The citizen who comes to make a report has a problem and needs to be heard. Police officers are not seen solely to fight crime but to assist in general. This concept must be embedded in all officers. In my time the woman who reported domestic violence with no visible signs of injury was documented as “Other Matters.” Most likely she would be told to report it to the Justice of the Peace in the morning and sent back home to the unsafe environment. With this type of injustice this woman has lost her confidence in the police and would exclude herself from the Community policing concept, and return to Us vs Them. This is just one real example and there are many others.
(7) Many professionals who have migrated abroad as myself have the passion to return home and assist. But the salaries do not compensate. Take a serious look at our foreign resources who have the training and experience to assist at this crucial juncture of our existence. We have the money, use it wisely. Why do we have to pay thousands of dollars to a foreigner to assist with kidnappings. This was a wasted investment as we can all see clearly now. As a matter of fact kidnappings have increased and continue to increase.
(8) Involve the faith-based organisations in these efforts to fight crime. Church youth ministries and other agencies who interact with the youth should be brought to the table to dialogue.
This list can go on and on like the Energiser Bunny, but those ideas that were identified are the key areas. On a daily basis I discuss these ideas with retired police officers and concerned citizens of TT who live in South Florida who believe that it makes sense coming from someone who has “been there-done that.” I hope that it will be published and the powers that be look at it for what it is — constructive criticism.

K DUNCAN
Miam.

Whose fault is that, Cudjoe?

THE EDITOR: Please allow me some space in your newspaper to air my views on Professor Selwyn Cudjoe. He said that race should be a criteria  for admission into UWI, because as it stands the ethnic ratio consists of about 80 percent Indian and ten percent Afro. I would like to ask Cudjoe whose fault is that?  His statement is racial and I think he should be reprimanded for making it. Academic qualifications should be the only criteria to enter UWI. He should look at the ethnic ratio in the army and police and the civil service before he makes such volatile suggestions.

He should also investigate the ethnic ratio of Trini students studying abroad, especially in America. Maybe we should demand of the US that race be a criteria for Trinidadian students to get into a US University, especially with regards to athletic scholarships. Frankly, I am getting really fed up of people like Cudjoe and Abu Bakr picking on Indians. It certainly scares me.

RESHMA PALTOO
Woodland