Jack Warner flies to Baghdad to watch a young Iraqi play football.
He is really impressed and arranges him to come over to play for his club Joe Public in Trinidad.
Two weeks later Joe Public are 4-0 down, away to W-Connection with only 20 minutes left. Joe Public manager gives the young Iraqi striker the nod and on he goes in.
The young Iraqi is a sensation, scores 5 goals in 20 minutes and wins the game for Joe Public. The fans are delighted; the players and coaches are delighted and the media loves the new star.
When the player comes off the pitch he 'phones his mum to tell her about his first day in Trinidad football.
"Hello mum, guess what?" he says. "I played for 20 minutes today, we were 4-0 down but I scored 5 and we won! Everybody loves me, the fans, the media, they all love me.
"Wonderful," says his mum, "But let me tell you about my day. Your father got shot in the street and robbed, your sister and I were ambushed and beaten and your brother has joined a gang of criminals, all while you were having such great time."
The young lad is very upset. "What can I say mum?".
"The least you can say is Sorry!!!" says his mum, "It's your fault we moved to Trinidad in the first place!"
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Friday, June 26, 2009
Joy in My World
THE BRIGHT SIDE
Sparks of joy lighten a dark world and keep hope beating eternal in man’s breast.
Yesterday, my youngest daughter received her SEA results and made the cut for her first choice school, Bishop Anstey High School. This school remains one of our more prestigious girls’ schools.
This achievement was uniquely hers and did not require any of the planned intervention that I would have implemented to secure her a solid secondary education.
Some folks criticized me for not having the faith that she could and would do it on her own.
We all think and act differently and that is what makes life so interesting.
Faith is wonderful and fantastic but in my life I learned that many times, God appreciates a helping hand and helps those who constructively plan to help themselves.
To those who may not agree with me say this, unless you have a clear “what if” plan, you may well be flying by the seat of your pants and trusting to luck.
Today I am filled with pride and joy and wish to share this with you.
I congratulate all the SEA successes. To those who may be disappointed, please remember that life does not end with SEA. If I may use the hackneyed adage, “Life is but a journey, not a destination.” There will be opportunities to come. Understanding what happened and working to correct it, can lead to future success.
Sparks of joy lighten a dark world and keep hope beating eternal in man’s breast.
Yesterday, my youngest daughter received her SEA results and made the cut for her first choice school, Bishop Anstey High School. This school remains one of our more prestigious girls’ schools.
This achievement was uniquely hers and did not require any of the planned intervention that I would have implemented to secure her a solid secondary education.
Some folks criticized me for not having the faith that she could and would do it on her own.
We all think and act differently and that is what makes life so interesting.
Faith is wonderful and fantastic but in my life I learned that many times, God appreciates a helping hand and helps those who constructively plan to help themselves.
To those who may not agree with me say this, unless you have a clear “what if” plan, you may well be flying by the seat of your pants and trusting to luck.
Today I am filled with pride and joy and wish to share this with you.
I congratulate all the SEA successes. To those who may be disappointed, please remember that life does not end with SEA. If I may use the hackneyed adage, “Life is but a journey, not a destination.” There will be opportunities to come. Understanding what happened and working to correct it, can lead to future success.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
THIS IS IT!!!
THERE IS NO BRIGHT SIDE
All this was done in one day, yesterday.
Young men murder an innocent, bright young woman WITHIN the precincts of a Police Station.
Young men discharge a firearm within meters of the Parliament which is sitting at the time. In the very Parliament, the Prime Minister informs us that he intends to use Trinidad money to fund development projects in Jamaica, Grenada and Dominica to build their economies to control crime in their countries.
This development program, he intends to use to curtail crime moving from those places to here, he muses. "No 'narco-economies' in the Caribbean," is his war cry
Over the weekend, the Prime Minister tells his Caricom partners in St. Kitts that crime is a problem for the Caribbean and he must do something.
Now we are beginning to understand what he has in mind.
In Trinidad, hospitals and health care are poor, we suffer with poor and in adequate infrastructure and crime is boss.
WHEN ARE WE GOING TO OPENLY, WITH LOUD VOICES, PROCLAIM THAT ENOUGH IS ENOUGH?
All this was done in one day, yesterday.
Young men murder an innocent, bright young woman WITHIN the precincts of a Police Station.
Young men discharge a firearm within meters of the Parliament which is sitting at the time. In the very Parliament, the Prime Minister informs us that he intends to use Trinidad money to fund development projects in Jamaica, Grenada and Dominica to build their economies to control crime in their countries.
This development program, he intends to use to curtail crime moving from those places to here, he muses. "No 'narco-economies' in the Caribbean," is his war cry
Over the weekend, the Prime Minister tells his Caricom partners in St. Kitts that crime is a problem for the Caribbean and he must do something.
Now we are beginning to understand what he has in mind.
In Trinidad, hospitals and health care are poor, we suffer with poor and in adequate infrastructure and crime is boss.
WHEN ARE WE GOING TO OPENLY, WITH LOUD VOICES, PROCLAIM THAT ENOUGH IS ENOUGH?
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Some surprising good news
The Bright Side
Only 14% of families in Trinidad are headed by single parents. Just as I was wondering why there are so many fatherless children and missing family males. Is Tobago the problem?
The Ministry of Education is ready for the Influenza A H1N1 pandemic. They announced that since May 1, all the “protocols” (the new buzz word) have been in place to combat this menace.
However, it seems that The Ministry of Sport was not ready. Eleven people on the Surinam Volley Ball Team tested virus positive soon after returning home from games in Trinidad.
One out of every five Trinidadians overstays their welcome when visiting the United States of America. That is 20% of Trinis visiting that country.
The USA embassy says that we rank 14 out of the worse 20 countries whose nationals go to the people’s place and refuse to return home before the expiration of their allowed period of stay.
Only 14% of families in Trinidad are headed by single parents. Just as I was wondering why there are so many fatherless children and missing family males. Is Tobago the problem?
The Ministry of Education is ready for the Influenza A H1N1 pandemic. They announced that since May 1, all the “protocols” (the new buzz word) have been in place to combat this menace.
However, it seems that The Ministry of Sport was not ready. Eleven people on the Surinam Volley Ball Team tested virus positive soon after returning home from games in Trinidad.
One out of every five Trinidadians overstays their welcome when visiting the United States of America. That is 20% of Trinis visiting that country.
The USA embassy says that we rank 14 out of the worse 20 countries whose nationals go to the people’s place and refuse to return home before the expiration of their allowed period of stay.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
THE MOUSETRAP (not by Agatha Christie)
A Philosophical Side
Today, I would like to thank one of my correspondents for sending me this parable:
A mouse looked through the crack in the wall to see the farmer and his wife open a package. "What food might this contain?" the mouse wondered.
He was devastated to discover that it was a mousetrap.
Retreating to the farmyard, the mouse proclaimed this warning: "There is a mousetrap in the house! There is a mousetrap in the house!"
The chicken clucked and scratched, raised her head and said, "Mr. Mouse, I can tell this is a grave concern to you, but it is of no consequence to me. I cannot be bothered by it."
The mouse turned to the pig and told him, "There is a mousetrap in the house! There is a mousetrap in the house!"
The pig sympathized, but said, "I am so very sorry, Mr. Mouse, but there is nothing I can do about it but pray. Be assured you are in my prayers."
The mouse turned to the cow and said, "There is a mousetrap in the house! There is a mousetrap in the house!"
The cow said, "Wow, Mr. Mouse. I'm sorry for you, but it's no skin off my nose."
So, the mouse returned to the house, head down and dejected, to face the farmer's mousetrap - alone.
That very night, there was a a loud, ringing “CLACK:” sound was throughout the house - the sound of a mousetrap catching its prey.
The farmer's wife rushed to see what was caught in the mousetrap. In the darkness, she did not see that it was a venomous snake whose tail was caught in the trap. The snake bit the farmer's wife.
The farmer rushed her to the hospital.
When she returned home she still had a fever.
Everyone knows you treat a fever with fresh chicken soup.
So the farmer took his hatchet to the farmyard for the soup's main ingredient: But his wife's sickness continued.
Friends and neighbours came to sit with her around the clock.
To feed them, the farmer butchered the pig.
But, alas, the farmer's wife did not get well... She died.
So many people came for her funeral that the farmer had to slaughter the cow to provide enough meat to feed them all at the funeral luncheon.
And the mouse looked upon it all from his crack in the wall with great sadness.
So, the next time you hear someone is facing a problem and you think it doesn't concern you, remember: When one of us is threatened, we are all at risk.
We are all involved in this journey called life.
We must keep an eye out for one another and make an extra effort to encourage and assist one another.
PLEASE ALWAYS REMEMBER THAT EACH OF US IS A VITAL THREAD IN ANOTHER PERSON'S TAPESTRY.
OUR LIVES ARE WOVEN TOGETHER FOR A REASON THOUGH THE REASON MAY NOT BE ALWAYS VERY CLEAR TO US.
Things can change!
Wake up, Trinidad & Tobago People!
Today, I would like to thank one of my correspondents for sending me this parable:
A mouse looked through the crack in the wall to see the farmer and his wife open a package. "What food might this contain?" the mouse wondered.
He was devastated to discover that it was a mousetrap.
Retreating to the farmyard, the mouse proclaimed this warning: "There is a mousetrap in the house! There is a mousetrap in the house!"
The chicken clucked and scratched, raised her head and said, "Mr. Mouse, I can tell this is a grave concern to you, but it is of no consequence to me. I cannot be bothered by it."
The mouse turned to the pig and told him, "There is a mousetrap in the house! There is a mousetrap in the house!"
The pig sympathized, but said, "I am so very sorry, Mr. Mouse, but there is nothing I can do about it but pray. Be assured you are in my prayers."
The mouse turned to the cow and said, "There is a mousetrap in the house! There is a mousetrap in the house!"
The cow said, "Wow, Mr. Mouse. I'm sorry for you, but it's no skin off my nose."
So, the mouse returned to the house, head down and dejected, to face the farmer's mousetrap - alone.
That very night, there was a a loud, ringing “CLACK:” sound was throughout the house - the sound of a mousetrap catching its prey.
The farmer's wife rushed to see what was caught in the mousetrap. In the darkness, she did not see that it was a venomous snake whose tail was caught in the trap. The snake bit the farmer's wife.
The farmer rushed her to the hospital.
When she returned home she still had a fever.
Everyone knows you treat a fever with fresh chicken soup.
So the farmer took his hatchet to the farmyard for the soup's main ingredient: But his wife's sickness continued.
Friends and neighbours came to sit with her around the clock.
To feed them, the farmer butchered the pig.
But, alas, the farmer's wife did not get well... She died.
So many people came for her funeral that the farmer had to slaughter the cow to provide enough meat to feed them all at the funeral luncheon.
And the mouse looked upon it all from his crack in the wall with great sadness.
So, the next time you hear someone is facing a problem and you think it doesn't concern you, remember: When one of us is threatened, we are all at risk.
We are all involved in this journey called life.
We must keep an eye out for one another and make an extra effort to encourage and assist one another.
PLEASE ALWAYS REMEMBER THAT EACH OF US IS A VITAL THREAD IN ANOTHER PERSON'S TAPESTRY.
OUR LIVES ARE WOVEN TOGETHER FOR A REASON THOUGH THE REASON MAY NOT BE ALWAYS VERY CLEAR TO US.
Things can change!
Wake up, Trinidad & Tobago People!
Friday, June 12, 2009
PUT COUNTRY FIRST
The Bright Side
Sadly, we pride ourselves as a fun loving people. Yet we envy and yearn for the achievements and accomplishments of more serious minded and industrious peoples.
Carnival, feteing to the max (pun intended) and party are high on our list of priorities. According to today’s Trinidad Guardian, already in June 2009, we have begun to discuss and plan carnival 2010.
Carnival is great. It remains rooted in my psyche. Who would not like to party?
Sadly, we pride ourselves as a fun loving people. Yet we envy and yearn for the achievements and accomplishments of more serious minded and industrious peoples.
Carnival, feteing to the max (pun intended) and party are high on our list of priorities. According to today’s Trinidad Guardian, already in June 2009, we have begun to discuss and plan carnival 2010.
Carnival is great. It remains rooted in my psyche. Who would not like to party?
Merriment and party are like opiates. They give us a false sense of well being and euphoria. However, like most opiates, they can create severe memory lapses.
We love party so much that we put PARTY before country.
This year the calypsonian Bally in his calypso “No, No Amigo”, confessed that he is “PNM ‘til ah dead.” His confessions continued as he sang that he is running into a conflict between his mouth (as a social commentator) and his balisier (his PARTY symbol). However, he prepared to forgive the long litany of woes and complaints that he voices and stick with the PARTY.
Bally and his fanatic PNMites are not alone. Inspired and driven by misplaced allegiances, the members of the other PARTIES, though not as vocal in popular music, are similarly misguided.
Until we learn to get our priorities straight, we are condemned to continue on the path of destruction on which we merrily travel, all the time partying to the max.
Think!
Carnival, fete, party and PARTY first?
THINGS CAN CHANGE
We love party so much that we put PARTY before country.
This year the calypsonian Bally in his calypso “No, No Amigo”, confessed that he is “PNM ‘til ah dead.” His confessions continued as he sang that he is running into a conflict between his mouth (as a social commentator) and his balisier (his PARTY symbol). However, he prepared to forgive the long litany of woes and complaints that he voices and stick with the PARTY.
Bally and his fanatic PNMites are not alone. Inspired and driven by misplaced allegiances, the members of the other PARTIES, though not as vocal in popular music, are similarly misguided.
Until we learn to get our priorities straight, we are condemned to continue on the path of destruction on which we merrily travel, all the time partying to the max.
Think!
Carnival, fete, party and PARTY first?
THINGS CAN CHANGE
Make a change!
PUT COUNTRY FIRST, Trinidad & Tobago People.
PARTY can come after we fix this mess.
Monday, June 8, 2009
WHAT AM I TO DO?
The Bright Side
As you view the media, more and more people are airing their concerns about the path of our nation is on.
Each voice is different. Jobs going to Chinese nationals in La Brea and other places while locals idly lime; environmental and health issues surrounding the construction of the aluminium smelter; the exercise of absolute power; arrogance in leadership; these are but some of the many issues.
One of my correspondents commented on all the talk and the even the calls for action but noted there were few substantial suggestions as to what can be done.
I agree completely that calling for action without an action plan is akin to spitting into the wind.
Please allow me the opportunity, over a period of time, to offer a few suggestions.
I believe that there is a Chinese proverb that says “A journey of 1,000 miles must begin with one step.”
To extend the allegory, the first step is, both figuratively and literally, to stand up.
So, you say, there many already doing that. What is my response to that? There persons are far from enough.
At this stage, the ‘silent majority’ quietly accept and grumble. There are feelings about not being able to make a difference.
These may be driven by fear but there is also an unwillingness to be counted.
History shows that it is the ideas and philosophies of the one or the few that really effect change and not the ideas of the masses.
I do not recall any instances where the masses, without leadership – noble or otherwise, rose up and changed the course of history.
Such instances of change by uninspired masses resulted in anarchy. Right now, we are experiencing the anarchic uprising of the criminal masses.
The French Revolution was inspired by the ideas of the few.
In Trinidad & Tobago, the inspired ideas of Eric Williams and others cut the road for internal self-government and “independence.” Makandal Daaga and his few lead the changes in the 1970s.
Like it or not, today, it is the one or the few who inspire the masses in Trinidad and Tobago.
The change process then, is simple in concept but difficult in implementation.
The brain plans but it is the body that acts. The few develop the ideals, the concepts and the plans. I must admit that this in itself is difficult enough.
The far more difficult step is communicating with and harnessing the raw power and energy of the masses.
Things can change!
I will discuss some more practical but difficult ideas in future blogs.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
THE WORLD CAN CHANGE
The Bright Side
I am a cynic and I make no apologies for that.
I must also admit that I intensely dislike all politicians. I view them all with great scepticism.
However, in a world where extremely poor leadership has been in control for decades, there is a breath of hope that is emerging.
I am growing to admire Barack Obama.
His latest success was his speech in Cairo on the Israeli/Palestinian situation. You can read it at http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/31102929/
Thus far, one cannot help but admire his grace, charm, balanced opinion and eloquence.
Given time and continuity, I think that the image of the obnoxious, arrogant American bully can change. That alone would be a great accomplishment.
The people of the United States of America, indeed of the world, should be proud of this refreshing brand of leadership. This has been absent from the world stage for far too long.
We ought to pray that he continues his good work and live a long, healthy life. I think that we will be all blessed in that way.
Our leaders will do well to emulate President Obama’s leadership style.
I am a cynic and I make no apologies for that.
I must also admit that I intensely dislike all politicians. I view them all with great scepticism.
However, in a world where extremely poor leadership has been in control for decades, there is a breath of hope that is emerging.
I am growing to admire Barack Obama.
His latest success was his speech in Cairo on the Israeli/Palestinian situation. You can read it at http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/31102929/
Thus far, one cannot help but admire his grace, charm, balanced opinion and eloquence.
Given time and continuity, I think that the image of the obnoxious, arrogant American bully can change. That alone would be a great accomplishment.
The people of the United States of America, indeed of the world, should be proud of this refreshing brand of leadership. This has been absent from the world stage for far too long.
We ought to pray that he continues his good work and live a long, healthy life. I think that we will be all blessed in that way.
Our leaders will do well to emulate President Obama’s leadership style.
THEREIN LIES THE TRUTH
The Bright Side
I believe that every time human beings communicate, by word (oral or written) or by deed, they do so in furtherance of some specific personal agenda.
Therefore, in the human experience, truth is ill-defined.
What people communicate is their particular perspective of a given set of circumstances, shaded to further their personal agendas.
The Real Experts rarely lie.
The following is an excerpt from the Trinidad Guardian:
“Prime Minister Patrick Manning told Parliament last Wednesday that Annisette-George (the former Attorney General) had tendered her resignation because “her worst fears were coming to pass and that the anticipated conflict of interest situation (in the CLICO bailout issue) was imminent. He told the weekly post-Cabinet news conference at the Diplomatic Centre the following day that the potential conflict could even reach the courts.
However, Information Minister Neil Parsanlal said on Tuesday: “This should in no way be construed to mean that the former senator or any member of her family is in any way implicated by the investigations into CL Financial or any of its subsidiaries.””
Somewhere in this paradoxical muddle of words lies the Truth.
The bright side lies in two of my deceased Grandmother’s admonitions:
“Moon does run til sun ketch it” and “What in de dark does come to light.”
She had another: “One day, one day, congotay.”
I believe that every time human beings communicate, by word (oral or written) or by deed, they do so in furtherance of some specific personal agenda.
Therefore, in the human experience, truth is ill-defined.
What people communicate is their particular perspective of a given set of circumstances, shaded to further their personal agendas.
The Real Experts rarely lie.
The following is an excerpt from the Trinidad Guardian:
“Prime Minister Patrick Manning told Parliament last Wednesday that Annisette-George (the former Attorney General) had tendered her resignation because “her worst fears were coming to pass and that the anticipated conflict of interest situation (in the CLICO bailout issue) was imminent. He told the weekly post-Cabinet news conference at the Diplomatic Centre the following day that the potential conflict could even reach the courts.
However, Information Minister Neil Parsanlal said on Tuesday: “This should in no way be construed to mean that the former senator or any member of her family is in any way implicated by the investigations into CL Financial or any of its subsidiaries.””
Somewhere in this paradoxical muddle of words lies the Truth.
The bright side lies in two of my deceased Grandmother’s admonitions:
“Moon does run til sun ketch it” and “What in de dark does come to light.”
She had another: “One day, one day, congotay.”
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
THE VOICE OF ONE
The Bright Side
It seems like almost a lifetime ago, that Larry (I am no longer sure of his surname) Haywood (?) presented a radio program on what was then, Radio Guardian.
His warm, soothing voice (with a Canadian accent) caressed the airwaves as he opened his show. “This is the Voice of One – Random Thoughts about Things in General.”
To my recollection, his commentaries sometimes voiced intelligent minority opinions and at other times, those of the intellectual, silent majority.
Some of us, Elders, may recall that Dr. Eric Williams saw the Trinidad Guardian media as his nemesis.
Last night I saw and heard another “Voice of One”. His voice was not soothing but raspy. His demeanour, though outwardly calm, had a sense of urgency. His accent was definitely Trinbagonian. His thoughts were not random but finitely specific.
What Dr. Keith Rowley expressed was minimally disconcerting, if not downright alarming.
To my mind, he expressed both the opinions of the intelligent minority as well as those of the intellectual, silent majority.
What is the Bright Side? It is that there is at least one individual who is brave enough to stand up and speak out.
I think that he is right. Democracy and Freedom are destroyed one day and one action at a time. Incumbents, the world over, have weakened and eliminated institutions to remain in office. All this while the “democratically free” sleep, avert their eyes to what is going on and remain silent and inert.
Do not be fooled. Dictatorship in transition temporarily tolerates free speech and thrives on complacency.
In a land where speaking out can be detrimental, I hope that Dr. Rowley’s example would inspire others to wake up, take a stand, speak out and ACT.
It seems like almost a lifetime ago, that Larry (I am no longer sure of his surname) Haywood (?) presented a radio program on what was then, Radio Guardian.
His warm, soothing voice (with a Canadian accent) caressed the airwaves as he opened his show. “This is the Voice of One – Random Thoughts about Things in General.”
To my recollection, his commentaries sometimes voiced intelligent minority opinions and at other times, those of the intellectual, silent majority.
Some of us, Elders, may recall that Dr. Eric Williams saw the Trinidad Guardian media as his nemesis.
Last night I saw and heard another “Voice of One”. His voice was not soothing but raspy. His demeanour, though outwardly calm, had a sense of urgency. His accent was definitely Trinbagonian. His thoughts were not random but finitely specific.
What Dr. Keith Rowley expressed was minimally disconcerting, if not downright alarming.
To my mind, he expressed both the opinions of the intelligent minority as well as those of the intellectual, silent majority.
What is the Bright Side? It is that there is at least one individual who is brave enough to stand up and speak out.
I think that he is right. Democracy and Freedom are destroyed one day and one action at a time. Incumbents, the world over, have weakened and eliminated institutions to remain in office. All this while the “democratically free” sleep, avert their eyes to what is going on and remain silent and inert.
Do not be fooled. Dictatorship in transition temporarily tolerates free speech and thrives on complacency.
In a land where speaking out can be detrimental, I hope that Dr. Rowley’s example would inspire others to wake up, take a stand, speak out and ACT.
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