THE EDITOR: Out of a sense of genuine concern, I address the media on the matter of the Tobago Ferry and in particular, the recently announced plans for the purchase of a “fast ferry” which will service the Tobago/Trinidad sea route.

It has come to my knowledge, that the ferry, which the state proposes to purchase, will not be furnished with cabins.

If this is so, I am submitting, that it would be a great error in judgment, for reasons of sensitivity and a responsible approach to satisfying the needs of the travelling public.

The trip to be made to and from Tobago has to be made through the Bocas, which we know has a very serious effect on the length of time a boat takes to make the crossing. One of the most important features of transport is accommodation, which must be designed for the comfort and safety of the commuters or travellers.

If one should use the present experience, one would notice that the first thing most passengers do, is seek some spot on the floor of the particular deck where they would lie down on blankets or sheets or pieces of card board. This is a definite sign that better accommodation is needed. They often jostle for the better spots.

It is with this in mind that I submit further, that passengers should not be thrown in with cargo and motor vehicles as they travel to and from Tobago. If, perforce this becomes necessary, passengers should not have to jostle with motor vehicles as they exit or enter the Ferry.

I am in full agreement with the purchasing of a new ferry, but I am seeking to urge those in authority to pay special attention to the comfort and safety of passengers and even so, give the travelling public a reasonable choice by providing both cabin and seating facilities.

MILTON “WIRE” AUSTIN HBM
Public Relations Officer
Pan Trinbago

THE EDITOR: I beg to differ Mr Hafeez Amin.

As much as you wish to downplay Movietowne, Caribbean Cinemas 8 and The Magnificent Seven, it is mere jealousy that brings such a snide comment from someone who should know better.

Back in 1992 when A Few Good Men was launched in 63 territories, a mammoth undertaking at the time by any distribution company, Trinidad and Tobago was not one of the many territories which were ‘chosen’ for the global launch.

Not to mention, just last year, when Die Another Day the latest James Bond film and a franchise plagued with piracy, launched in over 80 territories, Trinidad and Tobago again was not ‘chosen’. Instead MGM focussed to launch in Asian markets, the region of the world where piracy is king.

So the mere fact that our local cinemas were able to finally attract a major motion picture company to release a blockbuster movie in Trinidad and Tobago ahead of the United States is a very big deal!

One must not be jealous to the point of ridiculing others, because one could not obtain for oneself the rights to this premiere which one did seek. One must not hold grudges because for yet another time one was not the first.

IAN ISAACS
“The Idle Idol”
Westmoorings

THE EDITOR: We are looking so steadfastly at becoming a modern nation that we seldom look for lessons from poor countries.

Perhaps we should. The reluctance of the Minister of Health to establish any dialogue with those of us who wish to meet with him on the question of abortion law reform is instructive.

Why on earth would any Minister of Health be reluctant to meet with a group of citizens who have used his ministry’s data to show that a leading cause of hospitalisation is the result of an ineffective law?

Could there be an unseen relationship between the Roman Catholic Church and the State and, if so, could that have anything to do with his reluctance?

If that is even remotely a possibility, we may want to look at Rwanda, one of the countries most devastated by HIV/AIDS today. The genocide that occurred there in the mid 90s has several roots — the collapse of the coffee market, drought, overgrazing, soil erosion, unemployment, population growth and lack of economic diversification. Rwanda was more than 90 percent agrarian.

But several of those factors are themselves the result of religious belief and behaviour. Rwanda is 65 percent Roman Catholic.

Rwanda’s population increased from 5.5 million in 1983 to 7.7 million in 1993. Demographers had warned of the spectre of overpopulation. Paul Magnarella is Professor of Anthropology and Law at the University of Gainesville, Florida.

Here is what he has to say:

“Religious ideology also contributed to the country’s deepening demographic problems.

The majority of Rwanda’s population were Catholic. Despite Rwanda’s evident overpopulation, those in the church and government hierarchy not only refused to promote birth control programmes, they actively opposed them.

Radical Catholic pro-life commandos raided pharmacies to destroy condoms with the approval of the Ministry of the Interior.”

The lack of dialogue between our government and those of us who, following all due process, yearn for access to the Minister of Health is not a healthy sign for our democracy.

We have now been waiting patiently for more than four months.

HAZEL ROMANY
St James

THE EDITOR: For yet another year, the Family Planning Association is advertising urine testing for sugar. Urine testing is not a valid and recommended method for determining whether a patient has Diabetes or not.

There are many simple and quick “pin prick” blood tests available. The machines are cheap and carry a lifetime warranty. Whilst the results are not 100 percent accurate, it is far better than the assessment of urine tests. One hopes that the Family Planning Association will wake up from their ancient slumber and enter the 21st century.

Pace bowler J Lawson was not picked for the Second Test because he had chicken pox, which was diagnosed whilst in Guyana. He is then placed on a plane between Guyana and Trinidad, thus infecting the whole plane load. To add spread to the infection, he is placed on another plane to Jamaica. Another plane load infected. Two weeks later, he is declared fit and fully recovered and thus re-selected to the West Indies team. He played in the First Test and was never isolated. Is this a means of immunising the whole team? Is this to obtain an excuse for losing?

In modern day sports, 100 percent is required for success. Off the field, diet is important. When an international chain of fast foods was sponsoring the West Indies team it was claimed that the players wanted fast foods only. One wonders if the players thought that eating fast foods will make them bat faster and even bowl faster. Fast foods do not make fast bowlers.

It was thus disturbing to read and see pictures of the West Indies team eating at a fancy gourmet restaurant on the third night of the Second Test match.

Is this food nutritional and sport friendly? What was the management of the team thinking when this social event was organised during the match? Now it is said that it will be an established event for the third night of Test Matches. Is the management of the West Indies team serious?

And do the health authorities really believe that people will own up about symptoms of SARS! Do the health authorities believe that people want to be quarantined under the present sub-human conditions of the hospitals? Worse yet, it seems that the forms are not readily available. But seriously, is health a priority.

PHILIP AYOUNG-CHEE
Urological Surgeon
San Fernando

THE EDITOR: The country’s escalating crime situation, specifically the recent spate of murders and kidnappings, and the police’s apparent incompetence to curb same, have caused grave concern to all upright thinking citizens. Plans for deployment of additional police officers and soldiers on street patrols in crime-infested areas, the building of additional prison cells, the drafting of new laws with stiffer fines and increased penalties, have shown Government’s efforts to desist and prevent criminal activities.

Obviously, these are commendable efforts, but we must realise that the crime situation is a spiritual problem. The sooner we accept this truth, we would be on the right footing to minimise if not, eradicate the scourge. First of all, we must realise that the downturn in economy has left many people in disillusion and despair. People are hurting. The spirit will always war against the flesh. A corruptible spirit leads to sin (or crimes!) Whereas, a righteous spirit always leads to Godliness and Holiness. This is what we must realise. It is simple.

This is the opportune time for the church of Jesus Christ to arise and deploy born-again, spirit-filled “Christian Soldiers” to the highways and byways, street corners and other crime infested areas, to let people know that Jesus Christ is the answer to their problems. Yes, the church must make a concerted effort to preach this “Good News” Gospel to unsaved souls in these times of uncertainty and calamity. Now is the time. Now!

Our Lord Jesus says, “The fields (unsaved people) are ripe and ready for harvest.” He was referring to soul-winning. He knows people are calling out for a spiritual rebirth or the born-again experience. God always answers people who pray sincerely. But first, God’s response is conditional: “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sins, and will heal their land.”: (2 Chronicles 7:14).

There are many instances in the Bible when God’s people — the Israelites — called upon Him in their times of trouble and He answered and delivered them each time in a miraculous way. God can do the same with us today, Jews and Gentile alike.

As Christians in today’s world, we have to demonstrate the power of God in all boldness and “live by faith”, trusting in God’s word. We ought to show the world the authority we have in Christ over all the powers and evil devices of the devil, Satan. We could even  daringly beat our chests and say, “Greater is He (Christ) who is in me that he who is in the world!” (John 4:4).

Christians must be mindful and concern of other people in times of uncertainty and calamity. The Apostle Paul exhorts us of God: “Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, and that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforteth of God.” (2 Corinthians 1:4)

When Christ was crucified on the cross at Mount Calvary, He demonstrated God’s love to all people on planet earth. Christ did not only take our sins, sickness and poverty on His body, but also importantly, He made it possible for every believer to trample upon the fiery darts and snares of Satan. He wants us to be aware of this authority. God does not want us to be “hearers” of His Word but “doers”! (James 1:22).

In perilous ties, (Oh, yes and Christ says these will come!) God is closer than we think He is.

He is not far from every one of us: “For in Him we live, and move, and have our being …” (Acts 17:28). He knows the authority Christ has equipped the Church with and He will be looking forward for us to demonstrate it by faith. Psalm 34:15 says, “The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and His ears are open unto their cry.” But our cry must be a cry of faith. Hebrews 11:1 tells us, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen.”

God will never fail to answer our cry when we serve Him in holiness and righteousness. Neither will He disappoint us concerning His many promises, and is not like a man who changes his mind (Malachi 3:6). God has made certain provisions for all who dare to believe in His Word, which He says that He will not alter nor change (Psalms 89:34). Why not trust in God’s uncompromising Word today!

“Righteousness exalted a nation but sin is a reproach to the people.” (Proverbs 14:34).

COLIN D GHOURALAL
Chaguanas

THE EDITOR: Why not change the name of the Trinity Cross to “The Order of Trinidad and Tobago.”

FRANKLIN MAHARAJ
Print Plant Assistant
Dye & Durham Co Inc

THE EDITOR: Over the course of the past two decades, more or less, our fortunes in cricket have waned disastrously and have degenerated to an embarrassingly low level.

Also affecting our showing are weaker newcomers who are not as sensational as would be expected.

While we are most probably stricken by the loss of form, not enough effort is being made to evaluate causes for the sudden downward trend. From the era headed by Lloyd and Richards, generally labeled — without question — as the “Golden Age of West Indian cricket,” we have fallen into an abyss and are now finding it difficult to ascend to our past heights.

I remember the days of Rohan Kanhai in Australia when, by his heroic deed, he was named the Black Bradman, certainly a great compliment. During that tour, we were respected as a powerful side and regarded as heroes. There were other great players in the West Indian Camp, but my memory fails in recalling their names.

What we must consider currently is the ways and means of gaining our lost ground. If there is any group which should accept the blame for our ragged performance against the Australians, it should be the West Indies Cricket Board of Control.

I recommend that we start from scratch, within the ranks of the primary school talent. In 1939, Dr Clarke offered a trophy to the primary school displaying cricket supremacy throughout the nation. Caledonia EC ran away with the trophy by defeating Speyside Government at Shirvan Park in Scarborough. This marked the last of the national competitions as Dr Clarke had passed away. No one took up the reins of cricket promotion and training among the youth.

I strongly advocate the teaching of the game in schools and the placing of significant emphasis on it being taught at high school level. I remember one of the great West Indian players, Frank Worrel, representing Barbados in a match against Trinidad while he was still a pupil at Lodge School.

Sobers, one of the greatest all-rounders of all time, was not a coach-made hero. He was a player with ingrained talent. Teachers did not disrupt his natural growth. He was allowed to do things his way. Hazare, the Indian Captain, saw him in action and had no hesitation in predicting that he was a hero in the making. Sobers, very early in his career, lowered Hutton’s world record.

The Golden Boy, Brian Lara, was to eventually wrest it. Courtney Walsh, another West Indian holds the record of being the highest wicket-taker in test cricket.

We are blessed with boundless talent. We must rise again to the position of world leader.

SALER AMEERALI
Eleanore Street
Chaguanas

THE EDITOR: “Laventille, Oh! Laventille,” words made famous by David Michael Rudder.

The community of Laventille has recently been in the news again, and may I ask, “Is there anything good to come out of Laventille?”

When there is a crime or any type of criminal activity in Port-of-Spain, Laventille seems to always make the headlines.

Twenty-five percent of crime for the year 2002 was reported from the Laventille community, how sad! 25 percent is a large percentage or one-quarter of all crime committed.

Have the authorities failed Laventille? Why has Laventille been neglected by past and present administrations? Can the authorities do something quickly?

How far is Laventille from the city, within minutes, and why has the situation been left unchecked? Does anybody really care? Laventille has produced prominent citizens, and has produced two of the best steelband orchestras in the land, added to the North/West Cultural Committee leaders and champions in the Prime Minister’s Best Village Trophy competition.

So even amidst all the negativity that prevails, there are also some positives, but the negativity overshadows what is positive.

Each time a citizen mentions the fact he is from Laventille usually there is a stigma attached to the person, and the community he comes from.

I am sure there are decent, upright, honest, hardworking citizens who come from Laventille, but they are hardly heard about. There are school children who have come from Laventille and have made excellent grades at school. So where does the problem lie? Is there any hope for Laventille at all?

KEN SMITH
Woodbrook

THE EDITOR: One of the most important areas in manufacturing that is not taken seriously is design, product design.

Product design is the engine room in manufacturing. If a manufacturer has a well designed innovative product, makes the best use of his manufacturing capabilities, distribution channels and financial resources, he can compete better than the manufacturer who has poorly designed products, better manufacturing technology, better distribution channels and more financial resources.

Design is a strategic weapon for businesses. Design can be used to reduce cost, increase productivity and improve quality.

Design is done by a team made up of design, marketing, production and finance personnel.

It is important that all departments work together so that product design time is reduced and designed the right way.

A well designed product is easy to use, economical to make, appealing to the eye, economical to operate and service, safe and comfortable to use.

Form and Function = Quality

A blend of form and function, quality and style, art and engineering makes the final product.

Let’s look at two aspects of a product:

The product character: Character defines the criteria by which designers judge, develop or revamp product features

Product function analysis: To improve a product’s robustness, means thoroughly understanding a product’s function in relation to production methods.

Another important goal of product function analysis is to reduce the number of parts in a product.

There is a new approach to design; it is called the combinatorial method.

The combinatorial method, carried out by marketing and engineering team members, divides a product into generic parts or sub-assemblies and identifies the necessary variations of each.

The product is then designed to permit any combination of variations of these basic parts to go together physically and functionally — If there are six basic parts and three varieties of each, the company can build 36 = 729 different models — the in-house manufacturing team cooperates in designing the parts, so the manufacturing system can easily handle and make each variety of each part and products.

If this method is applied to the garment industry, it will allow designs to manufacture limited edition designs at mass production cost. The same with fabric design, but making variation of the motifs.

Designers should earn executive salaries. That include those who conceptualise, design and engineer. They are value adding employees.

DALE BANFIELD
Tacarigua