Greetings! The Blog Treats are here! What’s happening in the world and blogosphere (greater than the world!)? Lots of politics, art (mostly arts because that’s my scene), and people talking about themselves (including me talking about myself). Some of it good, some of it bad, so I posted just the ones that I liked or thought worthy of your time. Enjoy!
Water shortages are a sad reality of these days--TT is thirsty! However, I, for one, am excited about WASA hiring Israelis--they have be best desalinization technology around, so they should be able to actually do something with these projects.
A must read if you care about politics, corruption and crime. It’s rare these times to see posts in our blogs or newspapers that are concise, yet cover so many hot political issues effectively and, as I see it, objectively too.
This article is practically kissing the ground Tobago Jack walks on...I personally want to avoid putting famously violent people in power. On a superficial note, his /awesome physique/ as described in the article could stand to hire a decent tailor...
Rowley makes a comeback to the PNM team...it will be interesting to hear what he has to say when he speaks for the first time (in the election campaign that is. I hear he's got no speech problems otherwise!) on Thursday.
More politics...with some pretty vitriolic commentators...apparently, not all is well in the UNC/COP/TOP/WTF house...
This story seems a bit skewed to me. I think there's more evidence that it's the other way around...disunity abounds...such as the protests against the COP. Seems like Kamla and crew are picking favorites--without much regard to who's actually the best for the job.
and finally, something not as political. TT students are making progress in the film world.
"The Concept of Mobility" Kinetic art exhibit...should be fun for all ages! Go see it quickly, cuz its on the move!
Cute little old lady. Looks like CEPEP is getting some well-deserved funding.
As usual, the treats are not complete without a bunch of cool recipes! This time we have an interesting cheese sticks recipe which I actually tried and was awesome! And then we also have a well-thought version of chicken soup, a classic!
I totally agree with BCPires, Green Day is awesome! Their 21st century breakdown album is a breath of fresh air in the world of rock. My favorite is know your enemy!
By the way, make sure to stop by GWTO for the music reviews project is still on! Check out a bunch of music videos and the cool stories behind why people love them, and best of all, contribute your own music and reviews!
Greece is another one of those countries that has just had a rough economic decade--seems like everything is going poorly for them. Hope the EU holds it together. Maybe we can help them out in exchange for gyros and dolma?
Twenty eight not-so-hard ways to make your footprint lighter on your-and indeed everyone’s- environment. It’s actually good to find that I’m already following many of these ways :)
Monday, April 26, 2010
Thursday, April 15, 2010
The call for early election catches opposition by surprise
Election fever has taken over our politicians the moment PM Manning announced his call for early election. The past days were full of pre-campaigning efforts; passionate articles in the papers, exchanged polemics, and suddenly politicians care about the people! It’s even become normal to see them on the streets quite often, perhaps to show that they live with and among us!
By any standards, Manning’s call for election was a surprise, especially for the opposition. This probably made them wonder and think about this as a contradiction; why someone who craves power like Manning would call for early election? This makes us in turn wonder; does Manning really crave power the way his rivals say? Or is he confident that he can win the trust of the people once again?
I think Manning was smart about the timing, which I think has caught the under-prepared opposition by surprise. His government, despite the shortcomings, had made significant achievements compared to its predecessors—from the construction and architecture revolution we see everywhere we turn to the energetic foreign policy that granted this tiny country an important position in the Caribbean, but also in the world stage. More important is the ambitious vision the government has presented for the country’s future in the next years. These factors put him an advantageous position.
At the same time, the smart timing has put the opposition in the corner. The opposition apparently had not thought out a clear program for the nation. Instead they busied the society with lots of nonconstructive criticism and rhetoric without action. The main approach has been to focus on using the PNM government achievements against it, especially through udecott. However, the Uff report eventually embarrassed the opposition more than the PNM because after all the allegations, the report showed that this is case is about some mismanagement, not rampant corruption. Take NAPA for example, which the report confirmed that it was built to the highest standards!
What is the opposition going to do about this embarrassing situation? No vision, no strategic program, and no plan to present to the people to weigh against the current government!
And the opposition is making its mess even messier with more confused moves. For instance, instead of looking inside for solutions they went to the US seeking advertising and campaigning expertise. Instead of establishing a center for energy or development studies to understand the needs of the country and put together a comprehensive development strategy to implement should the party win the election, the opposition resorted to foreign campaigning experts. This in effect says that the opposition is not interested in developing a program that serves the people but in one that helps them get to office.
By any standards, Manning’s call for election was a surprise, especially for the opposition. This probably made them wonder and think about this as a contradiction; why someone who craves power like Manning would call for early election? This makes us in turn wonder; does Manning really crave power the way his rivals say? Or is he confident that he can win the trust of the people once again?
I think Manning was smart about the timing, which I think has caught the under-prepared opposition by surprise. His government, despite the shortcomings, had made significant achievements compared to its predecessors—from the construction and architecture revolution we see everywhere we turn to the energetic foreign policy that granted this tiny country an important position in the Caribbean, but also in the world stage. More important is the ambitious vision the government has presented for the country’s future in the next years. These factors put him an advantageous position.
At the same time, the smart timing has put the opposition in the corner. The opposition apparently had not thought out a clear program for the nation. Instead they busied the society with lots of nonconstructive criticism and rhetoric without action. The main approach has been to focus on using the PNM government achievements against it, especially through udecott. However, the Uff report eventually embarrassed the opposition more than the PNM because after all the allegations, the report showed that this is case is about some mismanagement, not rampant corruption. Take NAPA for example, which the report confirmed that it was built to the highest standards!
What is the opposition going to do about this embarrassing situation? No vision, no strategic program, and no plan to present to the people to weigh against the current government!
And the opposition is making its mess even messier with more confused moves. For instance, instead of looking inside for solutions they went to the US seeking advertising and campaigning expertise. Instead of establishing a center for energy or development studies to understand the needs of the country and put together a comprehensive development strategy to implement should the party win the election, the opposition resorted to foreign campaigning experts. This in effect says that the opposition is not interested in developing a program that serves the people but in one that helps them get to office.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Tuesday Blog Treats
Greetings! The Blog Treats are here! What’s happening in the world and blogosphere (greater than the world!)? Lots of politics, art (mostly arts because that’s my scene), and people talking about themselves (including me talking about myself). Some of it good, some of it bad, so I posted just the ones that I liked or thought worthy of your time. Enjoy!
WASA just hired a new CEO…will Mr. Smith find a solution for the drought? I guess we expect too much from mortal humans! Anyway, I wish him good luck.
So much happened in the last couple weeks, including, well, the parliament has been dissolved! Here’s an insightful analytical and “dispassionate” look at the upcoming election from Robin Montano in which he explains the strengths and weaknesses of the main parties. Worth reading!
Speaking of that, maybe we will actually see a UNC/COP arrangement? COP is playing nice, will the UNC? Where's the Unity in UNC? I haven't seen much to speak of...If I were them i wouldn't be too excited about the elections.
Now time for the part of the treats that actually matters, yep, food! The Pot posted a whole bunch of new recipes since the last treats including recipes for orange cake fans, beef curry supporters, pumpkin soup proponents and, for the lazy man who doesn’t know what to do with that can of corned beef in the cupboard!
I am curious about some of these people--what's the story behind the trabago jack who may or may not have shot a girl?
Poor Poland. two tragedies, 70 years apart, same place...how sad and ironic.
Not to play devil's advocate, but is this the most important thing happening in the news? Hart is wearing a blue robe. his son likes the NYPD....and where their cars might be? How about we level the playing field? I say the board members of our newspapers should resign because their coverage sucks ;)
I think these Hitler parodies, while funny at times, are quite creepy!
You think I don't have damning evidence to support my claim that our media sucks? Our not-so-great media steals photos from bloggers, and I'm pretty sure they kick puppies too :D Seriously, shame on you Newsday.
Oh, and it turns out this was not a precedent…T&T media appears to have long history mooching off bloggers!
Well, another bloodbath as the hounds have the scent and are crazy with it...I’d like to point out that the projects they've done so far are actually pretty nice. it could be worse...it could be something like the Big Dig!
Now this is just depressing. poor girl tries to kill herself with bleach. I agree with the commenter that hopes that the leaders of this country stop their squabbles and focus on some real problems.
From the smallest individual, to the greatest nations, looks like there's a lot to think about with the nuclear summit put together by US President Obama.
Oh, and I just love it when jealous children try to imitate grownups!
Again, not much seems United about the United National Congress....and then Panday quits because of Warner, which is sad because he always reminded me of papa smurf!
And away from politics and back into the arts and real life. A movie/documentary debuts to create a tribute to Caribbean mothers and their strength. Looks interesting! I also agree with the directors comments about the Medea movies.
The tour! the tour! I want to go on the tour! Sounds pretty good so far!
title: The grand tour of NAPA
WASA just hired a new CEO…will Mr. Smith find a solution for the drought? I guess we expect too much from mortal humans! Anyway, I wish him good luck.
So much happened in the last couple weeks, including, well, the parliament has been dissolved! Here’s an insightful analytical and “dispassionate” look at the upcoming election from Robin Montano in which he explains the strengths and weaknesses of the main parties. Worth reading!
Speaking of that, maybe we will actually see a UNC/COP arrangement? COP is playing nice, will the UNC? Where's the Unity in UNC? I haven't seen much to speak of...If I were them i wouldn't be too excited about the elections.
Now time for the part of the treats that actually matters, yep, food! The Pot posted a whole bunch of new recipes since the last treats including recipes for orange cake fans, beef curry supporters, pumpkin soup proponents and, for the lazy man who doesn’t know what to do with that can of corned beef in the cupboard!
I am curious about some of these people--what's the story behind the trabago jack who may or may not have shot a girl?
Poor Poland. two tragedies, 70 years apart, same place...how sad and ironic.
Not to play devil's advocate, but is this the most important thing happening in the news? Hart is wearing a blue robe. his son likes the NYPD....and where their cars might be? How about we level the playing field? I say the board members of our newspapers should resign because their coverage sucks ;)
I think these Hitler parodies, while funny at times, are quite creepy!
You think I don't have damning evidence to support my claim that our media sucks? Our not-so-great media steals photos from bloggers, and I'm pretty sure they kick puppies too :D Seriously, shame on you Newsday.
Oh, and it turns out this was not a precedent…T&T media appears to have long history mooching off bloggers!
Well, another bloodbath as the hounds have the scent and are crazy with it...I’d like to point out that the projects they've done so far are actually pretty nice. it could be worse...it could be something like the Big Dig!
Now this is just depressing. poor girl tries to kill herself with bleach. I agree with the commenter that hopes that the leaders of this country stop their squabbles and focus on some real problems.
From the smallest individual, to the greatest nations, looks like there's a lot to think about with the nuclear summit put together by US President Obama.
Oh, and I just love it when jealous children try to imitate grownups!
Again, not much seems United about the United National Congress....and then Panday quits because of Warner, which is sad because he always reminded me of papa smurf!
And away from politics and back into the arts and real life. A movie/documentary debuts to create a tribute to Caribbean mothers and their strength. Looks interesting! I also agree with the directors comments about the Medea movies.
The tour! the tour! I want to go on the tour! Sounds pretty good so far!
title: The grand tour of NAPA
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Happiness at the Hyatt
Never fear, my friends - the social scene lives at the Hyatt! You may have read something in the paper like I did about an issue with the rum license at Port of Spain's hottest night spot. So Yours Truly popped over there Friday night to see for myself.
Luckily for my friends and me, the rum was flowing - as was the gin, vodka, kahlua and more.
I'll keep my opinions of the TT news media to myself and simply say: try the Hyatt Pina Colada!
P.S. Do yourself a favor and get there early enough for sushi. The Dynamite rolls are... dynamite.
Luckily for my friends and me, the rum was flowing - as was the gin, vodka, kahlua and more.
I'll keep my opinions of the TT news media to myself and simply say: try the Hyatt Pina Colada!
P.S. Do yourself a favor and get there early enough for sushi. The Dynamite rolls are... dynamite.
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