LIVING ON SHIT STREET!

Pissy city boundary.

2012-02-15T21:04:00.000-04:00

The harsh reality is: exiting easterly by maxi-taxi from City Gate, Port of Spain, [CG], for destinations wherever, maxis must drive alongside a strip of wall separating CG from South Quay. The distance involved is just about 100 metres, but it feels like forever -the area reeks to High Heavens of stale piss, for the CG side of the wall is a veritable open-air urinal. Who's in charge of that area anyway? Guess, by the stench, one can conclude: since the Privy Council stopped the CG exit toll, the dogs are?

But, then, we living on Shit Street, so, say what.

The Integrity Commission HAS the freaking power!

2012-02-11T00:20:00.002-04:00

The harsh reality is, I dunno why people bewailing what recently happened at the Newsday offices and the home of one of its main journalists -with all due respect, the Integrity Commission HAS the freaking power to move the police to such action. So, if the police are being asked to explain, it's tantamount to the Integrity Commission being asked to divest itself of its independence, for, if the police were following IC's orders, then the police were agents of the IC, thus themselves answerable to no one else but the IC.
If you chill a bit, I'll let the four-legged beast which sometimes passes for law explain:

WHEREAS it is enacted inter alia by subsection (1) of section 13 of the Constitution that an Act of Parliament to which that section applies may expressly declare that it shall have effect even though inconsistent with sections 4 and 5 of the Constitution and, if any Act does so declare, it shall have effect accordingly:

And whereas it is provided by subsection (2) of the said section 13 of the Constitution that an Act of Parliament to which that section applies is one the Bill for which has been passed by both Houses of Parliament and at the final vote thereon in each House has been supported by the votes of not less than three-fifths of all the members of that House:

And whereas it is necessary and expedient that the provisions of this Act shall have effect even though inconsistent with sections 4 and 5 of the Constitution.

Section 1.

(1) This Act may be cited as the Integrity in Public Life Act.

(2) This Act shall have effect even though inconsistent with sections 4 and 5 of the Constitution.

Section 33.

The Commission—

(a) may on its own initiative; or
(b) shall upon the complaint of any member of the public, consider and enquire into any alleged breaches of the Act or any allegations of corrupt or dishonest conduct.

Section 34.

(1) In carrying out its function under section 33, the Commission may—

(a) authorise an investigating officer to conduct an enquiry into any alleged or suspected offence;

(b) require any person, in writing, to produce, within a specified time, all books, records, accounts, reports, data, stored electronically or otherwise, or any other documents relating to the functions of any public or private body;

(c) require any person, within a specified time, to provide any information or to answer any question which the Commission considers necessary in connection with any enquiry or investigation which the Commission is empowered to conduct under this Act;

(d) require that any facts, matters or documents relating to the allegations or breach, be verified or otherwise ascertained by oral examination of the person making the complaint; or

(e) cause any witness to be summoned and examined upon oath.

(2) Where, in the course of any enquiry the Commission is satisfied that there is a need to further expedite its investigations, it may exercise the following powers:

(b) require any person to furnish, notwithstanding the provisions of any other written law to the contrary, all information in his possession relating to the affairs of any suspected person being investigated and to produce or furnish any document or true copy of any document relating to the person under investigation and which is in the possession or under the control of the person required to furnish the information;

(3) A person who fails or refuses to disclose any such information or to produce any such documents, commits an offence and is liable to a fine of one hundred and fifty thousand dollars and imprisonment for a term of three years.

(4) Any person who knowingly misleads the Commission, or an investigating officer of the Commission, by giving false information, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of two hundred and fifty thousand dollars and imprisonment for a term of five years.

(5) Where after the conduct of an investigation, the Commission is satisfied that there are reasonable grounds for suspecting that an offence has been committed, it shall make a report to the Director of Public Prosecutions who may take such action as he thinks appropriate.

But, more than anything else, please bear in mind the following:

Section 5.

(2) In the exercise of its powers and performance of its functions under this Act, the Commission—

(a) shall not be subject to the direction or control of any other person or authority;

(b) may in all cases where it considers it appropriate to do so, make use of the services or draw upon the expertise of any law enforcement agency or the Public Service; and

(c) shall have the power to authorise investigations, summon witnesses, require the production of any reports, documents, other relevant information, and to do all such things as it considers necessary or expedient for the purpose of carrying out its functions.

Such are the draconian powers legislatively bestowed upon the Integrity Commissioners, hence why great care must be taken in their appointing, for whenever reference is made to "Integrity Commission", remember this is what is meant:

Section 2.

“Commission” means the Integrity Commission established under section 4;

Section 4.

(1) There is established an Integrity Commission consisting of a Chairman, Deputy Chairman and three other members who shall be persons of integrity and high standing.

The Integrity In Public Life Act is freely viewable at: http://rgd.legalaffairs.gov.tt/Laws2/Alphabetical_List/lawspdfs/22.01.pdf.

But, then, we living on Shit Street, so, say what.

Cox pussyfooting where limp men once tread.

2012-01-28T10:03:00.002-04:00

The harsh reality is, from way back when, with the help of its friends in the Public Service, the People's National Movement (PNM) has been surreptitiously monitoring private citizens. The PNM has been so doing, not in pursuit of the public interest, rather to gain and or maintain its political advantage.

Confirmation of this came from no other than the man who now lies crippled on a San Fernando Hospital bed, as it was then Prime Minister Patrick Manning who dropped the bombshell that, for years, he had been using taxpayer-funded security forces to monitor his political foes' every nook and cranny. Notice how I stressed "he"? Did that because he exclusively it was that was maccoing her -see page 801 of T&T House of Representatives Hansard of Tuesday September 30, 2008, where, inter alia, it is recorded:

Hon. P. Manning: Let me repeat what I have just said. I have monitored it for years. We leave it at that.

Because of such PNM tendency, under cover of parliamentary privilege, over time great harm has come to many of our citizens -remember Captain Malcolm Hernandez, the BWIA pilot desecrated by George M. Chambers?

Yesterday, it was the turn of several businessmen to feel the brunt of PNM's bashing, as Laventille East/Morvant MP, Donna Cox, barnstormed through the afternoon's proceedings, in an attempt to turn a windmill into a looming giant.

(See: http://www.guardian.co.tt/news/2012-01-28/cox-queries-ewatski-link-private-plane-firm)

Swear to God, I noticed Cox tremble a bit when she pronounced the name of one of them -"Condon", then again when talking about some "Jack" officer craving to fly in a kite-sized aircraft.

For the past few years, the PNM has considerably veered away from the ground where it once stood, so Cox maybe is pressing hard on Rowley's heels to be the man-rat of it all. However, Cox must understand that before Cox stands up and shoots off her mouth in Parliament, she must avoid pussyfooting where limp men once tread, otherwise Cox will have to pay the appropriate tax -for, in the sciences of Physics and Mathematics and in the written and spoken word, two negatives make a positive; but, in the science of politics and in the art of life, two wrongs will never make a right.
. But, then, we living on Shit Street, so, say what.

Rowley tied up over a bow.

2012-01-21T12:20:00.002-04:00

The harsh reality is, I really didn't want to descend into this "debate", but a technicality preexists which utterly demolishes the integrity of every argument on the issue Dr. Rowley made/makes/will make and which, consequently, warrants his toute bagai being summarily dismissed -as history has it, he is more versatile at borrowing than bowing.

But, then, we living on Shit Street, so, say what.

Of cars "Porshe" "posh" and "poche" .

2012-01-18T10:33:00.002-04:00

Nothing in this email is funded by Porshe.

The harsh reality is, at one time there was a thriving T&T-based automobile assembly industry. It developed out of a Business Incubator concept instituted not by the PNM -as many still think- but by the Albert Gomes administration -it was the Gomes régime which instituted wetnursing incentives and concessions under the Aid to Pioneer Industries Ordinance (APIO). (See "Towards Reckoning Our Independence For The Forty-ninth Time.", where it's mentioned that

"APIO itself was a stimulator introduced by Albert Gomes -the most under-appreciated head of government- in 1950. However, ten years down the road, it was yet to deliver, as the manufacturing sector mostly comprised screwdriver industry, hence was more reliant on foreign raw materials than anything else. Furthermore, it was capital-intensive, thus ineffectual in reducing high unemployment or extracting derived goods out of abundant hydrocarbon resources..."

With respect to the automobile assembly industry, it never was prodded to seek markets outside of T&T -the failed policies of the PNM encouraged them totally to focus local...money was no problem, remember? Hence, when the price of oil plummeted in the early 1980s, the consequent recession quickly dried up local demand for new cars, leading, inevitably, to the closure of every single plant, even the brand new Neal and Massy set-up at Santa Rosa, Arima.

When the local auto-assembly industry thrived, few luxury models were produced -the bulk were Spartan (the buyer had to pay extra for things which customers now take for granted -radio, tint, velour upholstery, mag rims, white-walled tyres, air-conditioning)...the few upperscale editions were priced waaaayyyy beyond the financial reach of the Average Joe and Average Jane. In that regard, Government ministries and agencies fared no better than the Average Joe and Average Jane.

Today, all motorised vehicles are imported fully-assembled, thus, no "deductions" are made from what rolls off the assembly lines in Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Sweden, France or, Germany -T&T nationals get what customers in those countries get...down to fog lights, which, Mr. Licensing Department, do have relevance in T&T, if you please! One can safely pronounce every vehicle -new or foreign-used- landing in T&T nowadays to be a luxury vehicle!

Which is why I'm bewildered by the sudden PNM-driven heat over the Porsche Cayenne bought by the Ministry of Food Production Land and Marine Affairs. But, then again, I can distinguish between "Porshe" "posh" and "poche", so I'd better not be, especially as the sampat the PNM got in May 2010 has them still so bazodee they'll attempt anything to stir up enough pathos to slip back into the ascendancy. That and God's face they'll never see, for the electorate is onto them, the PNM being an aggregation known to finagle the Public Poche to ensure only its own enjoys a posh lifestyle. That's why PNM's braggadocio reveals its domineering intent -MAGNUM EST PNM ET PRAEVELIBIT- and why PNMites believe they and they alone must access any product made by Porshe, for Porshe vehicles are not only remarkable...they are also designed to last -more than 70% of all Porsche cars ever built are still on the road today.

(See: http://www.porsche.com/latin-america-en/_trinidad-tobago_/aboutporsche/porschephilosophy/principleporsche/)

The difference though, is Porshe's durability is due to its tireless dedication to quality (engineering), while the PNM owed its longevity to tireless electoral-boundary reengineering.
But, then, we living on Shit Street, so, say what.

Thank you, Dr. Rowley! Now we know why Laventille (which includes its every ilk) is what it is.

2012-01-11T09:40:00.001-04:00

The harsh reality is, if one were to scrutinize every human conversation then, sure enough, sooner or later would be found some short statement which sticks in the mind of the audience -it ejaculates the essence of what the utterer wishes to say. Such pithy stuff is called "an idiom". However, apart from displaying the succinctness of a discourse, idioms also incite eureka, for they invariably also awaken full grasp of the raison d'être driving the one who let them loose.

So it is that one must assess this catchphrase dropped by Dr. Keith Rowley, on January 10th 2012:

“Sycophancy does not build a nation.”(Rowley: Moonlilal "lowering the bar" -Trinidad Newsday, January 11th 2012)

not so much because, when he distilled his thoughts he was the Leader of The Opposition, but, moreso since, at the time he was Political Leader of the People's National Movement a party which, for long time passing, he has held a leading and guiding post, whether as PNM Senator or PNM HOR Member for some part of Diego Martin's promontory.

A well-known pre-Rowley idiom advises:

"Birds of a feather flock together."

If PNM Leader's latest ejaculation defines him, it is safe to conjecture the definition would also apply to Laventille, whom though the PNM wooed and penetrated in 1956 and since then has been sticking it to her, yet throughout remains steadfast to the PNM. Ent?. But, then, we living on Shit Street, so, say what.

As it is for the lawman, so it must be for the government.

2012-01-04T08:08:00.000-04:00

The harsh reality is: when a lawman breaks the law, the world rightly cries out for him to be given no quarter, no reprieve. The same policy and practice must apply to this government administration whenever it does/behaves the same which caused its predecessor -the PNM- unceremoniously but with gusto by us to be dumped. Otherwise, we spinning top in mud.

But, then, we living on Shit Street, so, say what.

Time to clarify and simplify T&T's labour laws.

2011-12-11T08:41:00.000-04:00

The harsh reality is, clearly, T&T's labour laws are antediluvian!

Hence, they contribute more to recalcitrance than to eagerness by workers to attain and maintain productivity.

Without going into much more detail here, I strongly suggest it's time to clarify and simplify T&T's labour laws. And, one such way is to make it compulsory for trade unions to prove they represent the majority of workers in the enterprise before they are granted recognition and every time the need arises to negotiate a new collective agreement.

The suggestion, once implemented, would end the farce which, for way too long, has been allowed free rein: of workers and employers being forced to submit to a cabal gone wild, as, under current arrangements and or paradigms, it's virtually impossible to decertify or replace a trade union once its given the initial nod to represent, arrangements and paradigms which, by the way, having been passed during the PNM-totally-in-control-of-Parliament era, fly in the face of the constitutional rights of patriotic citizens of this beloved country.

But, then, we living on Shit Street, so, say what.

Ingest the fatuous, exhale the the flatus.

2011-12-03T07:19:00.001-04:00

Re: What Dr. Keith Rowley had to say on 12/2 about the assassination plot

The harsh reality is, the rank and pathology of what living beings excrete are inexorably determined by what they ingest.

Hence is derived the idiom: "Ingest the fatuous, expel the flatus."

Imbibing for practically his entire life only strong baleezay-brew and sulphurous fumes of volcanoes aroused, buffeted by constant spotlight-stealing antics of his former Political Leader (from whose infamous legacy he's desperately, but futilely, trying to escape) and still tootoolbay for government office (since the 20100524 knockout), IMHO every eruption emanating from Dr. Keith Rowley's person is as gripe-easing to him, but noxious to others, as a "speakeasy" in a crowded elevator; therefore, again IMHO, his every utterance must be analysed from upwind rather than down, or, if unavoidable, inhaled with a heavy dose of salt (smelling-salt, that is), else even the straighthinking will become stupefied by his totally-partisan spindoctoring.

But, then, we living on Shit Street, so, say what.

Bull's-eye on Table5!

2011-10-19T07:48:00.001-04:00

The harsh reality is: Trinidad and Tobago is a democracy.

In a democracy, whoever/whatever in the majority defines the present and future courses of action for all.

In the democracy called "Trinidad and Tobago", some have been remonstrating for a guy named Jack to be suspended.

Obviously, they have nothing better, or, better put, nothing at all to do.

There are fourteen definitions of "suspend".

Of those fourteen, ten suggest the fortunes of an individual remain unchanged, or actually improve, while said individual is suspended; and only four suggest the fortunes of the environment on which an individual impacts actually improves while said individual is suspended.

Trinidad and Tobago is a democracy.

In a democracy, whoever/whatever in the majority defines the present and future courses of action for all.

If this were a tryst between the remonstrant minority and I, guess who would now be gleefully chanting, "Marker! Bull's-eye on Table5!"?

But, then, we living on Shit Street, so, say what.

Doesn't this government know Hyatt is anti-worker?

2011-10-15T11:29:00.004-04:00

The harsh reality is, From time to time taxpayers' monies are heftily spent to host government seminars, conferences and social gatherings at the Hyatt Regency on the waterfront in Port of Spain.

Some of these events are orchestrated and held under the auspices of none other than the Ministry of Labour and Small and Micro Enterprise Development, which, for the time being, is headed by a man who, in respect of members of the Oilfield Workers' Trade Union, allegedly spent practically all of his working life to ensure:

wages were improved;
daycare facilities became available at each facility for employee’s children;
employee housing, medical, and pension plans were improved;
introduction of profit sharing plans;
the introduction of the Occupational and Safety Act;
the introduction of a scholarship program through the union, providing the chance for employees to send their children to university;

In short, for nigh on fifty years, he fought to have the principles now referred to as "Decent Work" embraced and applied.

Yet, worldwide, in the same way the track record of the incumbent Minister of Labour etc is well-documented, so too is the Hyatt's notorious, anti-worker stance; which begs the question at caption: doesn't this government know Hyatt is anti-worker?

But, then, we living on Shit Street, so, say what.

Dey got to be freaking joking, right???!!!!

2011-10-12T07:26:00.001-04:00

Re: http://www.newsday.co.tt/news/0,148771.html

which, in reporting on the disappearance of two (2) murder accused(Halim Ballack and Malcom Fraser) from the cell(s) of Point Fortin police station, mentions, almost as an afterthought or bit of trivia:

"On Monday afternoon, police released a sketch of Ballack... A senior police officer said yesterday they do not have a photograph or sketch of Fraser."

The harsh reality is: dey got to be freaking joking, right???!!!!!
And, whether they're joking or not, this warrants many heads (meaning: top guns) to be decapitated!!!
But, then, we living on Shit Street, so, say what.

One is one! One is one!

2011-10-03T05:57:00.000-04:00

The harsh reality is something definitely wrong with the marketing people in supermarket chains.

Yesterday I went to a popular supermarket chain.

In the course of half-filling my shopping basket (hello! I can't afford to fully-fill any such basket, ok?) I reached for a cake of bathsoap.

Lo and behold, none was to be had, not because there was none, but because supermarket chains seem not to understand that one is one! Every shelf, you see, was well-stocked with bathsoap...thing is, every one of the packages was not one bathsoap, but three!

The Customer Service Rep was of no use, for she simply smiled an apology and said, "Well that's how they package it for us, sir!"

Which is precisely the point I'm making: when packaging goods for retail sale, package for the customer not for the vendor! So don't try and force/trick me into buying what you want to sell me, for this one is one who will simply leave you and all your goods right dey and walk away...which is what I did.. But, then, we living on Shit Street, so, say what.

The people's interest come first, not yours!

2011-09-19T08:18:00.001-04:00

The harsh reality is

Re: http://www.guardian.co.tt/news/2011/09/19/ramlogan-i-met-dpp-legal-team

wherein it is stated that Director of Public Prosecutions Roger Gaspard had told the Sunday Guardian that he would continue to jealously guard his office at all costs

From time to time...Scratch that! From ever since, too many public servants focus too inwardly rather than focus outwardly on us.

Hence, from time to time...Oh shucks! What's wrong with me? Scratch that again! Hence, from ever since, too many public servants view us with disdain, when, truth be told, they are flesh and blood just as us...and we, flesh and blood, just as them.

it's against that background I view the DPP's allegedly-stated determination to guard his turf against those who are allegedly chafing at the bits to improve the performance of our national criminal prosecutorial system, for, wittingly or not, allegedly he has laid a case for him being accused of bias against those on whose behalf he acts -the law-abiding State of Trinidad and Tobago- for, in criminal matters, he is not Public Defender, rather, Public Prosecutor.

And, meantime, may God bless our nation!

But, then, we living on Shit Street, so, say what.

Speeding to the "small man's" defence.

2011-09-12T08:07:00.002-04:00

The harsh reality is, in the matter of the scrap-metal dealers (especially the ones who proliferlittered © Beetham Highway): it always amazes me how so many can ebulliently spring to the "small-man's" defence who, when they held power in their hands, did nothing for said "small-men".
And may God bless our nation!

But, then, we living on Shit Street, so, say what.

About the 14 yr-old girl-made and YouTubed anti-Kamla video.

2011-09-05T16:18:00.000-04:00

The harsh reality is, The 14 year-old girl who made, then YouTubed, the vehemently anti-Kamla video certainly has transgressed...very deliberately (and very seriously) at that.

However, as to how to treat with her: he/she who is without sin, cast the first stone.

Meantime, while all await the stepping-forward of such a paragon, for said 14 year-old girl who took her time to make and YouTube the vehemently anti-Kamla video, a stint in Boot Camp would suffice and have powerfully therapeutic effect.

Thus is it recommended! So let it be done!

But, then, we living on Shit Street, so, say what.

URP opens its arms to Calder Hart et al.

2011-08-14T04:42:00.004-04:00

The harsh reality is

Suppliers and contractors who conduct business with the Unemployment Relief Programme (URP) may soon be required to present police certificates of good character. This is one of several recommendations put forward to curb corrupt practices and criminal elements in the programme. The recommendation was revealed by Minister of the People and Social Development Dr Glenn Ramadharsingh.
http://www.guardian.co.tt/news/2011/08/14/certificate-good-character-do-business-urp

Aside: In other words, the likes of Calder Hart can freely treat with the new URP, as, at the date of writing, his police certificate would reveal how excellent a character he is.

Triteness aside, apart from being un-implementable due to its unwieldiness, such a move is unconstitutional, for it singles out prospective URP contractors and suppliers and puts the Mark of Cain upon them. Furthermore, during an era where public trust in the police is at a very low ebb and where evidence and lodged-property from police custody disappear with impunity, who can vouch that a police certificate signifies the bearer is clean or dirty?

Come, come, gentlemen! For how long will you ignore the best way forward for the URP by denying those best able to transform it the room so to do? Or, do they have first to present their Police Certificates of Character?
>>Here I Stand!<<.

But, then, we living on Shit Street, so, say what.

At once! Two, or more, signatories, please!

2011-08-14T03:03:00.003-04:00

The harsh reality is:

(Dismissed Chairman, Dawn) Annamunthodo also attempted to become a signatory on the (National Schools Dietary Services Ltd’s [NSDL] account held at Republic Bank) Ellerslie Plaza, Maraval. Bank records list (NSDL CEO, Ingrid) Herrera as the only signatory on the account.
http://www.guardian.co.tt/news/2011/08/14/cabinet-fires-chairman-school-feeding-programme

The only signatory on the account?????!!!!!!!!

So, technically, one employee and one employee alone of NSDL can instruct NSDL's bankers to hand over all NSDL's monies to some third party?????

And, technically, if that one employee decides to be spiteful, no third party would get paid?????

Wtf?????!!!!!!!!!

Surely, that cannot be right?????? Not where million$ of Our, The People's money is concerned???

At once! Two, or more, signatories, please!

But, then, we living on Shit Street, so, say what.

If I'm not mistaken.

2011-08-13T03:38:00.001-04:00

The harsh reality is, if I'm not mistaken, under current arrangements, a week comprises 168 hours.

If I'm not mistaken, under current arrangements, Trinbago's police officers are ~~on duty~~ required to be on duty for 40 hours per week.

If I'm not mistaken, under current arrangements, Trinbago police officers therefore enjoy 128 hours of free time per week.

If I'm not mistaken, under current arrangements, 128/168 equals 76%.

If I'm not mistaken, under current arrangements, any worker who is off-duty 76% of the time has more than enough time to "rest and reflect".

If I'm not mistaken, under current arrangements, those of such workers who feel an additional 24 hours must be taken to "rest and reflect" and that nobody could do them anything if they do, ought to be given a test, for such a feeling reflects how sadly mistaken about current arrangements they are.

We, the people, rest!

But, then, we living on Shit Street, so, say what.

Si notre vigilance tombe, la plus ça change, la plus il sera la même chose.

2011-08-11T05:13:00.001-04:00

The harsh reality is, si notre vigilance tombe, la plus ça change, la plus il sera la même chose.

Describing Malcom Jones as a good friend, Prime Minister Patrick Manning yesterday defended the $70,000-plus salary of the Petrotrin executive chairman, saying the salary was “quite in order” given Jones’ experience.

“He undoubtedly is (a friend)... and a better friend I don’t have. Except my wife, of course,” the PM said at a post-Cabinet news conference yesterday.

“Government considers itself very fortunate to obtain his expertise and managerial experience. He’s the only man in T&T who has worked in every aspect of the petroleum energy sector,” Manning said.

Outlining Jones’ professional background, Manning added: “His breadth of exposure and experience is very great, therefore it’s our view that the salary was quite in order.”
http://legacy.guardian.co.tt/archives/2003-05-02/news1.html

But, then, we living on Shit Street, so, say what.

Five percent of minus profit is minus-five percent pay increase!

2011-07-29T09:19:00.000-04:00

Re: http://www.trinidadexpress.com/news/Dookeran_looking_for_solutions_to__4_4b_deficit-126379028.html

The harsh reality is as follows:

Fuel subsidy: TT$4,800,000,000.00 per year!
T&TEC losss: TT$500,000,000.00 in 2011!
WASA loss: TT$ undisclosed hundreds of millions!
And the list goes on, ad nauseam?

Yet, certain people clamouring to get a raise and, if not, national shutdown????? Wtf???? They should take a frigging hike!

Five percent of minus profit is minus-five percent pay increase!

But, then, we living on Shit Street, so, say what.

ADDministered too much?

2011-07-17T06:15:00.000-04:00

The harsh reality is, it is said:

Work expands to fill the time available for its completion

Does a somewhat similar principle also apply to Government Ministers and population size in Third World countries?

I've been trying to decipher why, in Trinidad and Tobago, a country of merely 5,128 square km and peopled by just 1.3m souls, apart from the two constitutionally-mandated Ministers: of

Prime Minister; and
Attorney-General

we now have an additional twenty-four, viz:

Arts and Culture
Community Development
Education
Energy and Energy Industries
Finance
Foreign Affairs and Communication
Gender, Youth Affairs and Child Development
Health
Housing and the Environment
Justice
Labour, Small and Micro Enterprise Development
Legal Affairs
People and Social Development
Local Government
National Security
Public Administration
Public Utilities
Science, Technology and Tertiary Education
Sports
Tobago Development
Trade and Industry
Tourism
Transport
Works

(and that's discounting the Tobago House of Assembly); while, in the USA, a country of 9.8 million square kilometres and 305 million people there are only fifteen, viz:

Department of Agriculture
Department of Commerce
Department of Defense
Department of Education
Department of Energy
Department of Health and Human Services
Department of Housing and Urban Development
Department of Homeland Security
Department of the Interior
Department of Justice
Department of Labor
Department of State
Department of Transportation
Department of the Treasury
Department of Veterans Affairs

But, then, we living on Shit Street, so, say what.

What's good for the goose is good for the gander is good for the goose.

2011-05-09T20:07:00.000-04:00

The harsh reality is, for no whatsoever reason, Goose The First was cooked by another goose who had cocoa in the sun.
So, if what Goose The First got was good for Goose The First then it is also good for the gander and the other goose.. But, then, we living on Shit Street, so, say what.

Mismanagers still at the helm.

2011-05-05T20:24:00.002-04:00

The harsh reality is, almost every day since May 25th 2011, all government Ministers have been complaining they can't improve things as fast as the people who voted them into office expected, due to the extent of mismanagement they encountered at the various Ministries...yet, the mismanagers are still at the helm, with the tenure of a helluva lot of them made even more secure.
Am I missing something here?. But, then, we living on Shit Street, so, say what.

Flattening Jearlean.

2011-04-27T18:29:00.000-04:00

The harsh reality is: that large tracts of actively-used and highly-productive agricultural lands have been routinely cleared to make room for massive house construction, indicates Trinbago has a massive surplus of arable land as much as it indicates Trinbago suffers from a dire housing shortage. But, then, we living on Shit Street, so, say what.

WT...?II?? Is the Trinidad Guardian obsessed with denigrating Laventille?

2010-12-28T03:48:00.006-04:00

A Freudian slip is a gaffe which gives great insight into the true mindset of the one making the slip, in that reveals a repressed belief, thought, obsession, or emotion.

Could it be, then, that the Trinidad Guardian views the people of Laventille with such contumely that it is obsessed with denigrating Laventille at the drop of a pin?

Well, if not, how may one explain the following, when juxtaposed to what the other two Trinbagonian dailies reported of the same incident?

1. From the Trinidad Guardian [online version of Tuesday December 28th 2010: http://www.guardian.co.tt/beta/news/2010/12/27/murder-toll-reaches-467-malabar-shooting]:

Woman charged with trafficking cocaine

A 28-year-old woman of Laventille will appear before an Arima magistrate today charged with possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking. Police said they seized four kilogrammes of cocaine with a street value of $1.5 million. Officers of the Organised Crime, Narcotics and Firearms Bureau searched her luggage at the Piarco International Airport and found the cocaine hidden in a car battery. Police said the unemployed woman was preparing to board British Airways Flight 2158 destined for Gatwick Airport in the United Kingdom.

2. From the Trinidad Newsday [online version of Tuesday December 28th 2010: http://www.newsday.co.tt/crime_and_court/0,133172.html]:

A 28-YEAR-OLD European woman was arrested at Piarco International Airport on Sunday, mere minutes before she boarded a flight bound to Gatwick, London, for having in her possession $1.5 million in cocaine.

The illicit drug was stashed away in a portable battery charger. The woman, who is from Latvia, is expected to appear before an Arima magistrate today.

According to a police report, at about 5.15 pm, officers of the Organised Crime, Narcotics and Firearm Bureau acted upon information they received and intercepted the woman as she was about to board flight BW 2158.

The officers retrieved her suitcase, searched it and found an estimated four kilogrammes of cocaine concealed in the portable battery charger.

3. From the Trinidad Express [online version of Tuesday December 28th 2010: http://www.trinidadexpress.com/news/Foreigner_on_4_kg_cocaine_charge-112530764.html]:

A TWENTY-eight-year-old Latvian national will appear before an Arima magistrate today charged with attempting to traffic four kilogrammes of cocaine.

The woman was arrested around 4 p.m. on Sunday at Piarco International Airport by officers of the Organised Crime, Narcotics and Firearms Bureau (OCNFB), just as she was about to board Caribbean Airlines flight, BW 2158, to Gatwick, London.

Police said they decided to thoroughly check the suspect when she "began acting suspiciously" while in the in-transit area of the airport.

The officers allegedly found four kilogrammes "Colombian pure" high-grade cocaine in a gutted-out camera charger.

The drugs have an estimated street value of $1.4 million.

You, be the judge!

By the way, it was the mention of "car battery" that led me [no pun intended] to delve, for I asked myself, why this woman so stupid to take a car battery to England?

Don't our police officers have Pepper Spray?

2010-12-20T23:29:00.000-04:00

Re: http://www.trinidadexpress.com/news/Man_commits_suicide_in_front_relatives-112221979.html

wherein it is stated that a man killed himself in front of armed police officers

The harsh reality is, that a man -standing right in front of armed police officers- could kill himself this way:

slit his wrists, then
his throat, then
take a knife and plunge it into his gut, then
take up a brick, then
use the brick to hammer the knife more deeply into his gut,

apart from prompting one to ask what the hell the police officers were doing while the five [5] hellbound processes were in train, also begs the question: "Do our police officers have Mace or pepper spray?"
But, then, we living on Shit Street, so, say what.

Percentage wage/salary increases just don't cut it.

2010-11-27T17:58:00.004-04:00

The harsh reality is that, percentage wage/salary increases just don't cut it. [See spreadsheet below!]

But, then, we living on Shit Street, so, say what.

Either, or; neither, nor.

2010-10-04T22:40:00.002-04:00

The harsh reality is: either many have forgotten, or, shriek! were never aware, that neither Rome, nor her replacement, was built, or destroyed, in one day? But, then, we living on Shit Street, so, say what.

Crime-free day/weekend/month/whatever.

2010-07-13T07:02:00.001-04:00

DISCLAIMER: The following queries are purely fictional ---they do not refer to any real person or event--- therefore, no such imputation is permissible.

Dear Editor/Head of News,

The harsh reality is:

If during any given day/weekend/month/whatever a criminal is shot dead/chopped to death/garotted, does that vitiate a claim that such a day/weekend/month/whatever is/was crime-free? Surely, inter alia, the inference of "crime-free" is that in the locale where, on such day/weekend/month/whatever, the perpetrator(s) of criminal activity was(were) altogether removed from the scene?

But, then, we living on Shit Street, so, say what.

Manning, the darling of the drug addict.

2010-05-09T07:59:00.004-04:00

The harsh reality is, even the homeless and drug addict can make precise assessment of Patrick Manning's performance. Listen to "Vagrant Martin" pontificate:

If only every other Trinidad and Tobago citizen would attend to the issues as this poor chap did, we would be such a beautiful place. But, then, we living on Shit Street, so, say what.

Dr. Keith Rowley: The sailor who missed the boat.

2010-05-08T05:22:00.005-04:00

The harsh reality is:

But, then, we living on Shit Street, so, say what.

Sigh!

2010-04-24T21:19:00.003-04:00

The harsh reality is people so fedup with some of these politicians, yet these politicians can't/don't seem to see that. Imagine! Look at what shit Ramesh and Vasant trying to pull:

http://guardian.co.tt/news/politics/2010/04/24/vasant-ramesh-fight

Them could fight down Kamla? Ah shit, man! Why they doh grow up? But, then, we living on Shit Street, so, say what.

Furthermore, like they ent understand that Kamla do what none of them coulda do ---unite people who was at loggerheads even though they had a common enemy? Like they ent see the Newsday story day-before-yesterday, owot? (Check: http://www.newsday.co.tt/news/0,119457.html)

It have a coalition of powerful forces coming to mashup the PNM dem! If Ramesh and Vasant know what good for them ---and the country--- they would drop their hands and jump on board the train at once!

I must say though, that I am wary of McLeod, because he is one hard-headed man ---my brother, who worked in the oilbelt for many, many years, told me that he is.

So, Kamla, my dear! Keep your eyes close on Errol McLeod, you hear me, love? Watch him like a hawk! Keep him under manners, because he doh like woman to rule he at all!

Otherwise, when you win, the Newsday might have to replace Ramesh and Vasant picture with McLeod own and we go all end up still living on Shit Street.

I thought dey ban smoking?

2010-04-13T00:38:00.002-04:00

The harsh reality is: I thought dey ban smoking? Den why the whole place cover wid smoke so?. But, then, we living on Shit Street, so, say what.

My seeahuhman tell me.

2010-04-13T00:36:00.002-04:00

The harsh reality is dat PNMites go suddenly come to dey senses and kick Manning arse out and put Rowley in charge and he go announce the date and go be given a free sheet to pick a clean PNM team (if dat possible) dat go include Penny and dat all dat go happen by next Tuesday pleasing De Lord...dat's what my seeahuhman tell me. By de way meh seeahuhman name Cassandra eh.

But, then, we living on Shit Street, so, say what.

Holy crap!

2010-03-30T20:36:00.000-04:00

The harsh reality is that, by forensic examination of its crap, the biologist may determine the health of any living organism.

The same scatological principle applies to a government in power.

The reek and quantum of the crap being produced by the present government administration no doubt confirms how morbid it is.

It's time, then, for us to purge ourselves of it once and for all!

But, then, we living on Shit Street, so, say what.

The long, dry march to March 22nd, 2010.

2010-03-22T20:07:00.003-04:00

The harsh reality is, well ---no pun intended--- March 22nd 2010 has passed without a whimper from WASA, but it did foist upon us, the hapless, another day of swelter under a long-blistering sun.

Well ---again, no pun intended--- it's the day celebrated as World Water Day, when, supposedly, all eyes would've dwelt a bit on the worldwide crisis of finding and distributing enough safe drinking water to a thirsty, ever-burgeoning, world population.

Well ---like said at outset, no pun intended--- March 22nd 2010 has passed without a whimper from WASA, but it did foist upon us, the hapless, another day of swelter under a long-blistering sun.

Well ---pun now intended--- but, then, we living on Shit Street, so, say what.

Yes, Juliana! We want a full refund!

2010-03-17T23:09:00.000-04:00

The harsh reality is, Dear Juliana, that is years now we paying you to see for us. The reason why we hired you was for us to be forewarned. The reason we wished to be forewarned is so that we could take precautionary measures as need. So how come you couldn't see the drought coming and forewarn us so that we wouldna waste so many billion$ on the tall buildings and Summit waste-ah-time thingies? We want a full refund, Juliana, cause if you did keep your end ah the bargain we woulda construct massive storage tanks and drill boreholes and fix rotten/burst pipes like crazy. Yes, Juliana! We want a full refund! But, then, we living on Shit Street, so, say what.

Carnival 2k10: What Manning's Seerwoman told him.

2010-02-15T02:04:00.000-04:00

The harsh reality is, this is what Manning's seerwoman predicted for Carnival 2k10:

Cause for alarm, removal of a government even, ent? But, then, we living on Shit Street, so, say what.

Breathalyser law flaw.

2010-02-09T06:10:00.000-04:00

The harsh reality is that on reading in the Trinidad Newsday that one Joseph Nanan was found guilty of DUI and fined TT$3,500 ---in the non-payment of which, he will go to the slammer for nine months--- it struck me as odd that he was not simultaneously ordered to undergo some sort of rehab, for anyone who consumes mind-altering drugs then takes command of a steering-wheel has to be mad.

But I quickly checked myself, for The Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic (Amendment) Act, 2007 does not cater to such therapeutic recourse at all.
But, then, too, we living on Shit Street, so, say what.

If only.

2010-02-07T13:54:00.002-04:00

The harsh reality is something we'd have avoided, if only we'd taken the same steps towards safeguarding our store of dollars as we're now doing towards our store of water. If only....

But, then, we living on Shit Street, so, say what.

Of Newsdays, Bombs, Mirrors and Guardians.

2010-01-22T07:13:00.000-04:00

The harsh reality is, I'm stunned!

Stunned because the Trinidad Newsday suggests that "(Steven) Samuel, a resident of Laventille Road, was held by security guards of the Office of the Prime Minister who found him as he was trying to get back out of the compound with the 17 Newsday papers at about 2 am yesterday (January 21, 2010)."

And why mustn't I be stunned? For, despite his being despised by most as he is, Patrick Manning is the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, thus his every office deserves the tightest security ever! That means, 24-oh-7 and, by crackshot troops! We thought that he'd taken out such insurance when, a few years ago, he shooed the regular security detail and brought in his own special brand?

How in the world, then, could such a security lapse have occurred ---they "found him as he was trying to leave"? That means, they didn't spot him till long after he'd done his mischief, not before! That's bigtime security lapse, if you ask me, for what if, in addition to removing some Newsdays from the newspaper pile, the miscreant's matinal mission had included taking some of the Bombs ---it was a pile of journals, so it's reasonable to believe there were some--- and placing them where they'd inflict greatest alarm when Friday dawns? And, how come not a single compound-Guardian on duty that night saw him as he made his way onto the compound? Perhaps Steven used smoke and Mirrors ---a ploy the officeholder in question regularly does to bamboozle whom he would?

All the same, I pray to God that a thorough inspection was done post Steven's capture? Left to me, it'd've been the palace guardians on duty that night who'd've faced the music, not Steven.
But, then, we living on Shit Street, so, say what.

Sir Ellis, our troops and The Good Samaritan.

2010-01-17T07:03:00.000-04:00

Re: http://www.newsday.co.tt/news/0,114246.html

The harsh reality is I'm shattered to read how Sir Ellis dryly opined that we must not send any troops trooping off to Haiti in this ---Haiti's hour of direst need.

Apart from the fact that the Ellis premise for such is certainly not Christian ---unlike the Good Samaritan, he stakes his position by focusing concern on the fate of the troops if they were to go help, rather than the fate of the Haitian hapless if they did not--- there's another aspect with which I wish here to take issue and that is, that, from any angle, it's better to dispatch them with utmost dispatch, since one glance at our murder toll over the last eight years would verify the troops are of no use to us in Trinidad and Tobago.

But, then, we living on Shit Street, so, say what.

We'd be real nuts if we can't get Jamaica to throw in a Bolt to sweeten the deal.

2010-01-16T17:25:00.001-04:00

The harsh reality is that it's a done deal: we done buy and pay for Air Jamaica (JAL); Caribbean Airlines (CAL) taking charge!

KINGSTON, Jamaica, January 14, 2010 - Trinidad and Tobago’s state-owned Caribbean Airlines is now just days away from taking over Jamaica’s national carrier.

A deal in which Air Jamaica will be absorbed into the Trinidad airline is expected to be consummated this weekend, according to a Jamaica government announcement...[http://sxm-airport.com/media/970]

Maybe that's why we ent have an extra cent to spare Haiti in this their hour of direst need?

I wonder what the new airline would be called...CALJAL...JACAL? Whatever!

What I know is that we'd be real nuts if we can't get Jamaica to throw in a Bolt to sweeten the deal.

But, then, we living on Shit Street, so, say what.

A Tale of Two Princes.

2010-01-13T19:28:00.000-04:00

The harsh reality is that almost U$2m of taxpayers' money ---as far as we know is being spent; to what end? To facilitate the Prince of Port of Spain and his close pally-wallys in their desire to laugh all the way to the bank, as they cream twenty/thirty thousand persons eager to prance and dance while ogling Beyoncé's arms and legs.

U$1m only ---that's what Prime Minister Manning today said is all we could give; to what end? To help bring relief to a million-plus Haitians who lost arms, legs, everything, in the massive Port au Prince earthquake of yesterday afternoon.

But, then, we living on Shit Street, so, say what.

Beyond Beyoncé.

2010-01-10T05:12:00.000-04:00

The harsh reality is, now that TSTT has shown it's more than willing and able to take tremendous risk with the people's money, would it take a much lesser risk ---permit me continued use of my cellphone without me having to pay the bill until I get back on my feet (which, based on my projections, ought to occur come hell or high water)? Or, am I beyond the scope of TSTT's generosity?

But, then, we living on Shit Street, so, say what.

What Trinbagonian newspapers DON'T teach you about "Full Body Scanners".

2010-01-06T07:32:00.002-04:00

The harsh reality is that we're all accustomed by now to hearing that the Chinese word for "crisis" is really a combination of two Chinese words: the one for dangerous and the other, for "opportunity".

And, why shouldn't it be? For what the Chinese have long understood is that every situation, even a dangerous one, presents opportunities ---for innovative solutions.

That's why I wasn't too flustered on reading in the AlterNet [http://www.alternet.org/rights/144971/who%27s_getting_rich_from_the_naked_full-body_scanner_boom?page=entire] that, in the wake of the last Christmas Day scare, when a bomb was snuck under the radar and aboard a Detroit-bound flight ---via a passenger's underwear---- Michael Chertoff, a former USA Homeland Security Cabinet Minister, who now has his own security consultancy business ---the Chertoff Group--- is the main person pushing for the US federal government to order that Full Body Scanners be immediately acquired and installed in every US international airports.

Thing is, Chertoff, while publicly calling for federal agencies so to act, never once mentioned that he had a vested interest ---thus will be the main pocket profiting from such a deal--- preferring always to portray himself simply as "Former Homeland Security Secretary".

Seeing as we, too, in Trinidad and Tobago, are rushing to procure these multi-million-dollar pieces of equipment [http://guardian.co.tt/news/general/2010/01/05/m-full-body-scanners-airports], I'll become very annoyed, if shortly I don't discover who the local "Michael Chertoff" is? Just as annoyed as I've been over my being unable to learn who is the local agent for the anti-swine flu vaccine?

I'm open to pointed suggestions in both regards, even though the tradition of those who hold the T&T reins is that the way ~~uff~~ of spending the public's money is not the public's business, rather, their familes'.

Urgently wishing to get to the truth ---for we, in T&T, are the most inveterate of mimic men--- when the Chertoff Group's website openly boasts:

As Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Michael Chertoff worked closely with America’s most experienced intelligence experts and security professionals. Now a select group of them have joined him to form the Chertoff Group. [http://www.chertoffgroup.com/about-us.html]

it's safe to conclude that senior public officials tend to use their positions to forge alliances that, post their demitting office, they may employ to line their pockets at the public's expense; and that, given such proclivity to mimicry, who, then, may deny that what Chertoff has done will not also here be done?

But, then, we living on Shit Street, so, say what.

When people are clueless...

2010-01-04T08:10:00.000-04:00

The harsh reality is that if, in this 21st-century day and age, the comment made by a particular resident of Mentor Alley, Laventille, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago is correctly reported in this Trinidad Express article, then, since it not at once contradicted by the utterer's fellow residents, such comment represents that the people of that area are as clueless and careless with their lives as they have been, since 1956, with their votes. Listen to the reported comment!

'Obviously if you are in a dark alley and you see men with guns telling you to stop, would you do so knowing what going on in the country? So they started running and the police shot behind them,' one resident said.

On a closing note: Why was the alley dark, after a billion-dollar-plus expenditure on installing streetlights in every nook and cranny?

But, then, we living on Shit Street, so, say what.

Murder toll in T&T as at Dec 30th 2009. 508 bodies found...904 missing!

2009-12-31T06:12:00.000-04:00

The harsh reality is I became so thoroughly alarmed by The Jumbie's commentary [http://jumbiewatch.blogspot.com/2009/12/horrible-truth-revealed.html] alerting of a Trinidad Guardian article, that I was forced to take a break from my respite and put finger to keyboard more widely to disseminate what The Jumbie had concluded:

The reality is that the true 2009 murder toll in Trinidad and Tobago potentially is 1,413...and counting!

Jumbie's conclusion is reasonable one, for, as he deduced, when the stats re: persons reported missing in 2009 alone, are merged with the "official" 2k9 YTD murder toll of 508, that thousand-plus figure is what one gets.

Broken down, the missing-persons stats suggest that, per day, during 2k9, three human beings have vanished each day without a trace, since the current YTD figure is 904.

Another conclusion is that T&T has lost its soul, thence its way, for it's incomprehensible and reprehensible that for so many of no account can be given, while the rest of continuewining and dining without giving a fahrt.

But, then, we living on Shit Street, so, say what.

Riled up orally.

2009-12-29T00:40:00.000-04:00

The harsh reality is

Re: http://www.trinidadexpress.com/index.pl/article_news?id=161575325

On reading what the Trinidad Express reported in the captioned article, that:

"DOZENS of pupils who were scheduled to have done oral Spanish examinations yesterday were disappointed because of the absence of examiners at two of the 45 examination centres."

all that could orally escape me to express my disappointment over the Express's proofreading, was the exclamation: "Oh, really?"

Why? Because the examination in question was an "aural" one, not "oral". The former is used to assess the student's ability to discern by applying his/her listening skills; the latter, the state of the innards of his/her buccal cavity.

But, then, we living on Shit Street, so, say what.

Is "efficiency" a citizen?

2009-12-26T02:57:00.003-04:00

The harsh reality is that, on my reading that, in order to conduct business with the Inland Revenue Division [except paying taxes] citizens who reside in Biche and Toco now have to go to Sangre Grande; Blanchisseuse, to Arima; Cedros and Erin, to Pt Fortin; and Moruga, to Rio Claro; the first and only question that came to mind was:

Is "efficiency" a citizen?

For I thought these about-to-be-abandoned offices were established to facilitate citizens of rural areas. But, then, we living on Shit Street, so, say what.

Living off the farht of the land.

2009-12-25T01:35:00.002-04:00

The harsh reality is that, naturally, as the wee hours of another Christmas begin, thoughts turn towards tallying those with whom, of the less fortunate, we may share some cheer.

Such thoughts, inevitably, I suppose, would not come to the Scrooges in our midst, for Scrooges tend to live off the fat of the land, as scathingly defined by Peter Taylor, the Minister of Legal Affairs, in a recent ranting jeer. [See: http://www.trinidadexpress.com/index.pl/article?id=161573891]

With that is mind and with offence nor malice intended towards none, would it be okay if I describe the chief of those who live "off the fat of the land" as "the Father of the Nation"? And those who don't so live [which is the overwhelming majority of us, the people], as living off "the farht of the land"?

Merry Christmas!

But, then, we living on Shit Street, so, say what.

Woman power!

2009-12-13T06:39:00.000-04:00

The harsh reality is that it's time for us not only to have a woman as Prime Minister, but also as President. But, then, we living on Shit Street, so, say what.

The Great Wall of El Dorado.

2009-12-10T22:05:00.003-04:00

The harsh reality is that we need to build bridges, gateways and links, not walls, barriers or hurdles, if school-versus-school violence is to be abated. Don't those responsible for erecting the Great Wall of El Dorado know that? But, then, we living on Shit Street, so, say what.

Waiting for transport.

2009-12-09T13:02:00.000-04:00

The harsh reality is the public transportaion system sucks, despite the billions spent on related infrastructure and recurrent maintenance. But, then, we living on Shit Street, so, say what.

Civilized uncouthness.

2009-12-08T09:42:00.000-04:00

The harsh reality is that politics is civilized warfare. Yet, certain politicians just don't get it: that people fed-up, totally fed-up with them, thus, before it gets too late, they ought to just take aside and let others, henceforth, carry the baton, which is how civilzed warfare is conducted. But, then, we living on Shit Street, so, say what.

The Sleeping Giant.

2009-12-06T03:04:00.000-04:00

The harsh reality is, unless people get up and get involved, the status quo holds. But, then, we living on Shit Street, so, say what.

Unchain the real strength.

2009-12-04T18:46:00.001-04:00

The harsh reality is: there are those who insist that, for a political party to be viable, it must have a when-I-talk-no-damn-dog-bark leader at the helm. Those are the same who'd never understand that such a political party is a chain that's always weak because of its strongest link. But, then, we living on Shit Street, so, say what.

2020 breakdown!

2009-12-03T21:41:00.000-04:00

The harsh reality is that them who talking bout how by 2020 here go be at Developed World status only talking tata, cors the road to get we dey full ah pothole and what eh have pothole need paving over plus footpath what people could walk on without falling thru any crack or missing manhole cover. And doh talk fuh de poor bus service ---good gosh! we can't even run a proper bus service, is best we give the Chinese dem the wok [pun meant!]. But, then, we living on Shit Street, so, say what.

Footstepup!

2009-12-01T19:21:00.000-04:00

The harsh reality is, there must be many people who are damn upset over how, up to now, the local government agencies can't seem to be able to build a proper pavement ---some of them, the step up from road level is more than 46cm! But, then, we living on Shit Street, so, say what.

GHOGGMing along again.

2009-11-30T18:05:00.000-04:00

The harsh reality is that CHOGM is over, millions and millions spend and is like it never happened, for it have nothing to show for it. But, then, we living on Shit Street, so, say what.

Sticky wicket.

2009-11-27T04:30:00.000-04:00

The harsh reality is that the overwhelming majority of the population couldn't care less about the CHOGM, for they see it as a pappyshow, a waste of scarce dollars in a futile exercise to impress others. Against such background, you'd think a government would pull away from the wicket as the bowler begins his runup, then retake his guard: the better to regain its composure and concentration so desperately needed to play the long innings on a sticky wicket yet ahead. But, then, we living on Shit Street, so, say what.

Dem vs We.

2009-11-26T18:14:00.001-04:00

The harsh reality is that money is never a problem for de govament, when looking after the interests of the big boys dem is the issue, but it always is when is ordinary folks like my and your problems to contend with. But, then, we living on Shit Street, so, say what.

Stay way from de Main Road!

2009-11-25T06:13:00.001-04:00

The harsh reality is that, sometime ago, Ataklan dem did sing about a Flood on The Main Road as the widespread excuse errant lovers use for their oversights, but to hear a Minister of Education take it further by saying that traffic jam on the Main Road is what causes Trinidadian schoolchildren to maim and kill one another is real shit of the highest order, ent? But, then, we living on Shit Street, so, say what.

Vision and mission.

2009-11-24T05:08:00.000-04:00

The harsh reality is that people who have a vision have a sense of direction of what they want to accomplish, therefore set out to accomplish it. Here in Trinbago, everyone is pissed off at the Manning-led régime, so one would expect all would come together to do something concrete about that, ent? Well! That's not happening. But, then, we living on Shit Street, so, say what.

Lawless breed!

2009-11-23T04:27:00.003-04:00

The harsh reality is that though they that rule are always warning us to abide by the rule of law, they themselves are always breaking the law, or always showing it contempt. So! What rule of law is in operation, huh? But, then, we living on Shit Street, so, say what.

Outside!

2009-11-22T05:58:00.001-04:00

The harsh reality is that, in civilized countries, disgruntled citizens never fail to let their voices of angst be heard by their leaders, then their leaders either listen to them and sort out their problems, else they get fired. But, then, we living on Shit Street, so, say what.

Name The One!

2009-11-21T19:32:00.002-04:00

The harsh reality is that unless someone is found around whom the deep and pervasive anti-PNM sentiment can be coalesced we go be spinning top in mud. But, then, we living on Shit Street, so, say what.

Lara and the Plantain.

2009-11-19T14:29:00.002-04:00

The harsh reality is that we'd have still had the TT$685,100,000.00 safely tucked away in the kitty, plus generated an additional TT$270,000,000.00 if, over the past six years, instead of using the 61 hectares (nett) on which the Brian Lara Stadium is being built, we'd grown plantain for sale on the local and export market. But, then, we living on Shit Street, so, say what.

Passport and the Constitution.

2009-11-17T09:42:00.002-04:00

The harsh reality is that this inhumanely long wait to get to apply for a Trinidad and Tobago passport is a violation of our constitutionally-guaranteed right to move about as freely as we choose. But, then, we living on Shit Street, so, say what.

Fresh blood needed!

2009-11-16T05:41:00.002-04:00

The harsh reality is that, of the current crop of political leaders, none can muster the support of the majority of the population of Trinidad and Tobago. But, then, we living on Shit Street, so, say what.