Manning's reformsPublished on: 7/27/08.
by ALBERT BRANDFORD Political Correspondent
IT IS BECOMING increasingly clear that Prime Minister Patrick Manning is on a journey to leave a legacy not only on the political landscape of Trinidad and Tobago but across CARICOM.
He is already known for toying with political constructs that seek to isolate sub-regions in CARICOM, such as the Manning Initiative which, to this day, does not have a compelling purpose.
But the biggest of Manning's ideas has come in the form of a working paper – not yet government policy – that strives to improve the governance structure of Trinidad and Tobago, perhaps inspired by the 18-18 tie in the 2001 general election.
The proposed reforms of the constitution, however, do not indicate in any way how they would resolve such an occurrence in the future.
The essence of Manning's proposed reforms is to make the executive president the head of both the government and the state, giving what is now an all-powerful prime minister even greater powers of governance and control.
While upgrading the status of the prime minister, the proposed new draft constitution devastates the contribution of other elected members of the House of Representatives, both in terms of quantity and quality in the cabinet.
In fact, according to Manning: "It is proposed that the cabinet would now AID AND ADVISE [my emphasis] the president on the general direction and control of the government. It would comprise the president, vice-president and up to 25 members, of whom not more than six would be appointed from the House of Representatives and three from the Senate. The rest of the ministers would be appointed from outside of the parliament."
Imagine, a leader of a political party in Trinidad and Tobago uses 40 other party members to assist him in securing victory at the polls, but then agrees sufficiently with proposed reforms to bring them to parliament suggesting that at most – not at least – six ministers could be elected Members of Parliament.
On two scores, Prime Minister Manning's motives would have to be questioned: first, no other elected MP has to be a minister; and secondly, the number of ministers elected is restricted to six.
It takes a very special politician, guided by some higher power, to reduce other elected Members of Parliament – from whom he derived his power – to mere statistical objects.
It must be the case that only elected members of the House of Representatives can cast a secret ballot to determine who becomes the executive president.
Under the current constitution, the non-executive president is chosen by the Electoral College, a unicameral body consisting of all of the members of the Senate and the House of Representatives, convened by the Speaker, as chairman, and who has an original vote.
It is particularly striking that only the president and the vice-president are guaranteed membership of Manning's proposed cabinet which has an upper limit of 25 members.
Since the president and vice-president are to be appointed from the House of Representatives, only four other members from the ruling party can become ministers. That makes the proposals even more ludicrous!
Political folly
At the two extremes, ministers appointed from outside of the parliament may make up – at most – 23 out of the possible 25 members of the cabinet, or – at least – 16 out of the possible 25 members.
These ministers would be all appointed by the president who got his power from the elected members of the House of Representatives!
In its current state, the governing party in Trinidad and Tobago must have at least 21 members in the Lower House who, under the proposed reforms, would be restricted to offering only "aid and advice" to the cabinet on the general direction and control of the government – a restriction that is also imposed on the cabinet.
To me, that is political folly in the extreme.
The only reasonable proposal that prevents the new draft constitution from being seen as the making of an elected dictatorship is one for a term limit for the executive president, a maximum of two terms – ten years at most.
Otherwise, the Manning proposals smack of a leader trying to secure ultimate political power, more in search of creating a one-man show than entrenching a participatory democracy that broadens the base of leadership.
Having proposed to emasculate the elected representatives in the Lower House, Manning also wants to see an enlarged and essentially elected Senate for Trinidad and Tobago.
The following proposed reforms may help to restore a sense of balance with respect to those who voted for having some say in the general direction and control of government.
The Senate would comprise 49 – up from 31 – members of which 28 would be elected, and based on recommendations from the political parties following a general election, 18 would be assigned seats on the basis of proportional representation.
The other three senators would be elected by the Tobago House of Assembly.
More questions than answers
The existing nine Independent senators would be no more; yet, it appears that the broad principle – apart from the President becoming more powerful - is to involve more non-political practitioners in the decision-making process.
This identifies a basic inconsistency in the proposed reforms.
Oddly enough, the Cabinet, which has the responsibility only to "aid and advise" the President on the general direction and control of government, would be the least democratic of the institutions of government.
It is widely believed that people who get involved in elective politics do so out of self-interest, and so, it is going to be more than interesting to witness a national debate in Trinidad and Tobago on a proposed constitution that reduces the effective participation of the majority of elected Members of Parliament in running the affairs of government.
Prime Minister Manning is unorthodox, but his desire to change Trinidad and Tobago's constitution to increase the power of the political leader raises more questions than it provides answers.
It is being argued by some commentators that that increased power would come at the expense of the judiciary and the parliament – a frightening prospect for any country!
But perhaps the most frightening aspect of this proposed mischief would be the decimation of the will of the people in the first-past-the-post system used to elect members to the House of Representatives that would have to give way to the will of a political leader, especially in determining the composition of the Cabinet, a body of ministers who traditionally initiate policy and are collectively responsible for the government of the country.
For the sake of the people of the people of Trinidad and Tobago, may it never happen.
The rest of us in the region, especially here in Barbados, should watch the developments closely, because politicians are . . . well, politicians.
PS: I'll be off for a few weeks and, God willing, be back in this space on September 7.
albertbrandford@nationnews.com
Even Bajans realise that this ah real cont!
This after freeing the 2 Bajan fishermen.
Friday, August 8, 2008
The Trinidadian
A German, a Frenchman, an Englishman, and a Trinidadian went to an Art museum and were spending some time in front of the painting of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. After observing the painting for a while an intrigued observer asked the four men where they thought Adam and Eve's origins could be from.
The German said: 'Look at the perfection of their bodies. She with her slender and well formed figure and he with that athletic body and bulging muscles. There is no doubt they must be of German origin.'
Immediately the Frenchman reacts! 'C'est impossible! One can clearly see the eroticism that is exuding from both figures... She so feminine? he so masculine... and both so aware of the impendingtemptation.. . They must be French!'
Shaking his head in disagreement, the Englishman comments: 'Oh No, Chaps It can't be! Note the serenity on their faces, their delicate pose, the sobriety in their gestures. They could only be English.'
After a few more seconds of contemplation the Trini exclaims: 'Nah, I doh agree with ANY of alyuh! Watch de picture good nah man.
Dey naked cause they cyah afford clothes or shoes.
Dey eh have no shelter cause a house too expensive.
Dey eh have no electricity or water.
But dey eh protesting cause dey STILL think dey in Paradise !? ?
Clearly, dey is two Jack-Ass PNM supporters from Trinidad . ..!!!'
The German said: 'Look at the perfection of their bodies. She with her slender and well formed figure and he with that athletic body and bulging muscles. There is no doubt they must be of German origin.'
Immediately the Frenchman reacts! 'C'est impossible! One can clearly see the eroticism that is exuding from both figures... She so feminine? he so masculine... and both so aware of the impendingtemptation.. . They must be French!'
Shaking his head in disagreement, the Englishman comments: 'Oh No, Chaps It can't be! Note the serenity on their faces, their delicate pose, the sobriety in their gestures. They could only be English.'
After a few more seconds of contemplation the Trini exclaims: 'Nah, I doh agree with ANY of alyuh! Watch de picture good nah man.
Dey naked cause they cyah afford clothes or shoes.
Dey eh have no shelter cause a house too expensive.
Dey eh have no electricity or water.
But dey eh protesting cause dey STILL think dey in Paradise !? ?
Clearly, dey is two Jack-Ass PNM supporters from Trinidad . ..!!!'
Friday, June 27, 2008
PM Manning sees green
PM Manning sees green
By LEISELLE MARAJ
Friday, June 27 2008
PRIME MINISTER Patrick Manning yesterday urged energy companies to show their commitment to saving the environment by looking for alternate sources of fuel to oil and natural gas.
Manning was speaking at the opening of the Association of American Chambers of Commerce in Latin America (AACCLA) annual mid-year meeting, hosted at the Hyatt Regency Trinidad, Port-of-Spain by the local leg of the American Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM).
The topic of the two-day meeting is energy and the environment. Manning said the topic was timely considering its relevance. “Energy and the environment are closely related as the use of fossil fuels have been linked to present levels of global warming, producing climatic changes and environmental challenges for every country in the world,” he said.
Further exploring the link between the two, he said, the more troubling effects of global warming are experienced by lesser developed countries of the world. “In the Caribbean, we are certainly not one of the world’s major polluters but we have direct experience as islands in the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian oceans are already threatened by rising sea levels, coastal erosion and increasing ferocity of storms, hurricanes and typhoons,” he said.
Manning added that global warming also had links to increasing food prices globally. “Something is fundamentally wrong in the way we have been proceeding in utilising the resources that we have. We, undoubtedly, need to liberalise economies for greater productivity but in the process we are attaining levels of consumption that are clearly not sustainable,” he said.
To combat these problems, he said, there is need for greater energy production, increase emphasis on alternative sources of energy and greater energy efficiency. “It is clear for us in Trinidad and Tobago that no one approach would solve the problems caused by unprecedented energy consumption and its inflationary and environmental consequences. We need a battery of solutions involving all the approaches I have mentioned,” he said.
This cont eh bet he is one big cyat nah!
This is the same fockin asshole that want to puh down 2 fockin aluminium smelter plants in this fockin god forsaken place. Eh! Like he dotish or wa.
This is the same cont that lickin up the South Western Peninsula.
This is the same cont that cyah run this government without oil and gas money.
And he want to talk about ENVIRONMENT.
Fock off Manning!
By LEISELLE MARAJ
Friday, June 27 2008
PRIME MINISTER Patrick Manning yesterday urged energy companies to show their commitment to saving the environment by looking for alternate sources of fuel to oil and natural gas.
Manning was speaking at the opening of the Association of American Chambers of Commerce in Latin America (AACCLA) annual mid-year meeting, hosted at the Hyatt Regency Trinidad, Port-of-Spain by the local leg of the American Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM).
The topic of the two-day meeting is energy and the environment. Manning said the topic was timely considering its relevance. “Energy and the environment are closely related as the use of fossil fuels have been linked to present levels of global warming, producing climatic changes and environmental challenges for every country in the world,” he said.
Further exploring the link between the two, he said, the more troubling effects of global warming are experienced by lesser developed countries of the world. “In the Caribbean, we are certainly not one of the world’s major polluters but we have direct experience as islands in the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian oceans are already threatened by rising sea levels, coastal erosion and increasing ferocity of storms, hurricanes and typhoons,” he said.
Manning added that global warming also had links to increasing food prices globally. “Something is fundamentally wrong in the way we have been proceeding in utilising the resources that we have. We, undoubtedly, need to liberalise economies for greater productivity but in the process we are attaining levels of consumption that are clearly not sustainable,” he said.
To combat these problems, he said, there is need for greater energy production, increase emphasis on alternative sources of energy and greater energy efficiency. “It is clear for us in Trinidad and Tobago that no one approach would solve the problems caused by unprecedented energy consumption and its inflationary and environmental consequences. We need a battery of solutions involving all the approaches I have mentioned,” he said.
This cont eh bet he is one big cyat nah!
This is the same fockin asshole that want to puh down 2 fockin aluminium smelter plants in this fockin god forsaken place. Eh! Like he dotish or wa.
This is the same cont that lickin up the South Western Peninsula.
This is the same cont that cyah run this government without oil and gas money.
And he want to talk about ENVIRONMENT.
Fock off Manning!
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Mc Leod retires with $4.5M
By CECILY ASSON
Thursday, June 26 2008
RETIRED Oilfield Workers Trade Union (OWTU) president general Errol Mc Leod is to receive a retirement package worth $4.5 million for his 21 years of service to one of the country’s richest trade unions.
An OWTU source told Newsday yesterday that the contents of the separation package include a house to be built at a cost of $2 million on a piece of land owned by Mc Leod in Aripero, a new X5 BMW SUV worth $750,000, guaranteed car insurance for the next five years plus a $1.5 million annuity.
According to reports, the OWTU general council approved Mc Leod’s retirement package during a meeting at the union’s headquarters at Paramount Building, Circular Road, San Fernando. The meeting was chaired by Mc Leod.
Mc Leod was celebrated last night by members of the union at a ceremony at the Palms Club, San Fernando.
When contacted for comment, Mc Leod said: “I don’t know what my separation package is worth and even if I knew I wouldn’t disclose.” When given a breakdown of the package, Mc Leod said: “I never knew I was valued so highly by the union.”
McLeod worked as a refinery operator at State-owned oil company Petrotrin and became the union’s second vice president, labour relations in 1975 before rising to the position of president general. He retired from Petrotrin about three years.
OWTU sources said the May 31general council meeting was attended by an estimated 35 delegates. Four of them abstained from the vote on the package for Mc Leod and one voted against the multi-million dollar payout. Sources said the delegates voted in favour of the package without discussing the proposal with their respective branches.
Some delegates felt it was exorbitant compared to the retirement package for his late predecessor George Weekes. “A committee was formed and we all went back to our branch unions where we discussed the matter. Weekes had to give up the deed for a piece of land he inherited in Petit Bourg. The union took that money to help purchase the house in Cocoyea, San Fernando that was given to him. His package was never exorbitant like this,” said a source.
Mc Leod had announced that he was giving up his position as the leader of the union at the OWTU’s annual general meeting last July and was passing the baton over to first vice president Ancel Roget.
Look another PNM hack, quiet for the last 7 years under the PNM feel the pressure and focking resigning now.
Make all he money, fool all dem fockin assholes and now walking away wid ah hefty take home.
Typical African nigga dictator attitude.
Thursday, June 26 2008
RETIRED Oilfield Workers Trade Union (OWTU) president general Errol Mc Leod is to receive a retirement package worth $4.5 million for his 21 years of service to one of the country’s richest trade unions.
An OWTU source told Newsday yesterday that the contents of the separation package include a house to be built at a cost of $2 million on a piece of land owned by Mc Leod in Aripero, a new X5 BMW SUV worth $750,000, guaranteed car insurance for the next five years plus a $1.5 million annuity.
According to reports, the OWTU general council approved Mc Leod’s retirement package during a meeting at the union’s headquarters at Paramount Building, Circular Road, San Fernando. The meeting was chaired by Mc Leod.
Mc Leod was celebrated last night by members of the union at a ceremony at the Palms Club, San Fernando.
When contacted for comment, Mc Leod said: “I don’t know what my separation package is worth and even if I knew I wouldn’t disclose.” When given a breakdown of the package, Mc Leod said: “I never knew I was valued so highly by the union.”
McLeod worked as a refinery operator at State-owned oil company Petrotrin and became the union’s second vice president, labour relations in 1975 before rising to the position of president general. He retired from Petrotrin about three years.
OWTU sources said the May 31general council meeting was attended by an estimated 35 delegates. Four of them abstained from the vote on the package for Mc Leod and one voted against the multi-million dollar payout. Sources said the delegates voted in favour of the package without discussing the proposal with their respective branches.
Some delegates felt it was exorbitant compared to the retirement package for his late predecessor George Weekes. “A committee was formed and we all went back to our branch unions where we discussed the matter. Weekes had to give up the deed for a piece of land he inherited in Petit Bourg. The union took that money to help purchase the house in Cocoyea, San Fernando that was given to him. His package was never exorbitant like this,” said a source.
Mc Leod had announced that he was giving up his position as the leader of the union at the OWTU’s annual general meeting last July and was passing the baton over to first vice president Ancel Roget.
Look another PNM hack, quiet for the last 7 years under the PNM feel the pressure and focking resigning now.
Make all he money, fool all dem fockin assholes and now walking away wid ah hefty take home.
Typical African nigga dictator attitude.
Paul quits
Paul quits
By NALINEE SEELAL
Thursday, June 26 2008
With crime at its highest ever, Trevor Paul has quit as Commissioner of Police breaking the year-long extension he had to continue to serve as head of the Police Service.
Paul advised the members of his executive of his decision during a meeting at the Police Administration Building in Port-of-Spain on Tuesday.
Sources said Paul felt he had done all that he could to lead the Police Service in its fight against crime, which has risen to unprecedented levels with murders standing at 243 for this year to date.
Paul is expected to leave on Monday and he has already begun to pack his books and personal documents and mementos from his service of over 40 years.
“Monday might be my last day in office. I have done my part and it is time to move on,” he told his executive of Assistant Commissioners of Police (ACPs) on Tuesday.
When contacted yesterday, Paul would only say, “When I am leaving office you will know, I will tell you myself.”
Paul had been asked to stay on for an additional year as the top cop although his official retirement date was November 9, 2007.
Sources said Paul’s decision to break his extension before November is expected to put additional pressure on the Government to get debate moving in Parliament on the appointment of a new Commissioner of Police (CoP).
Well at last! This total waste of a Police Officer will be shipping out. His tenure will be remembered as one in which the CoP was the biggest failure in this country.
But really all that focker wanted was to get he pension. Now he goin to live like some big pappy at the expense of the citizens of T&T.
How we so dotish in this country.
Now another duncee head nigga will take his place and the same shit will continue. Another PNM cont.
Wanna bet ?
By NALINEE SEELAL
Thursday, June 26 2008
With crime at its highest ever, Trevor Paul has quit as Commissioner of Police breaking the year-long extension he had to continue to serve as head of the Police Service.
Paul advised the members of his executive of his decision during a meeting at the Police Administration Building in Port-of-Spain on Tuesday.
Sources said Paul felt he had done all that he could to lead the Police Service in its fight against crime, which has risen to unprecedented levels with murders standing at 243 for this year to date.
Paul is expected to leave on Monday and he has already begun to pack his books and personal documents and mementos from his service of over 40 years.
“Monday might be my last day in office. I have done my part and it is time to move on,” he told his executive of Assistant Commissioners of Police (ACPs) on Tuesday.
When contacted yesterday, Paul would only say, “When I am leaving office you will know, I will tell you myself.”
Paul had been asked to stay on for an additional year as the top cop although his official retirement date was November 9, 2007.
Sources said Paul’s decision to break his extension before November is expected to put additional pressure on the Government to get debate moving in Parliament on the appointment of a new Commissioner of Police (CoP).
Well at last! This total waste of a Police Officer will be shipping out. His tenure will be remembered as one in which the CoP was the biggest failure in this country.
But really all that focker wanted was to get he pension. Now he goin to live like some big pappy at the expense of the citizens of T&T.
How we so dotish in this country.
Now another duncee head nigga will take his place and the same shit will continue. Another PNM cont.
Wanna bet ?
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Joseph: I'm sorry
National Security Minister Martin Joseph yesterday apologised for his now infamous pronunciation of the word "arrests" as "arrestes" during last week's post-Cabinet news conference.
He did so during yesterday's post-Cabinet news conference at Whitehall, Port of Spain, one week after making the verbal blunder, while responding to questions on new anti-crime measures that the Government expects will result in an improvement in its war on crime.
"I know it's too late now. I certainly, I certainly apologise," Joseph said.
He quipped that the mispronunciation was an attempt on his part to help boost the Police Service's low detection rate.
Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha !
He did so during yesterday's post-Cabinet news conference at Whitehall, Port of Spain, one week after making the verbal blunder, while responding to questions on new anti-crime measures that the Government expects will result in an improvement in its war on crime.
"I know it's too late now. I certainly, I certainly apologise," Joseph said.
He quipped that the mispronunciation was an attempt on his part to help boost the Police Service's low detection rate.
Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha !
OH GAWD OYE!
Ah cyah stop fockin laughin. R'fari cont, see if you could translate this piece of dotishness for meh nah.
I quote, "the mispronunciation was an attempt on his part to help boost the Police Service's low detection rate."
Lard Father, have mercy on me! Fock! Niggas EH!
Saturday, June 7, 2008
NIGGERS AGAIN NAH!
India set to exempt Africa from ban on rice exports
By Joe Leahy in Mumbai and Amy Yee in New Delhi
Published: June 2 2008 03:00
India is facing growing pressure from African countries to exempt them from export bans on rice implemented by New Delhi to curb domestic food price inflation.
The move illustrates how efforts by large producers such as India to control a sharp rise in food costs are hurting poor nations and giving rise to a form of rice diplomacy."We have no shortage of rice and wheat. Our buffer stocks are adequate. Our production has not been reduced. Food prices are driven to a large extent by sentiment and not merely by supply and demand, says the indian minister
"I have a minister from Mali [here]," said Kamal Nath, India's commerce and industries minister, in an interview with the Financial Times.
"They are traditional buyers of rice so when we banned the export of our cheaper medium-quality rice, they [were] in trouble."
Global food prices are expected to remain high over the next decade, spelling hardship for millions of the world's poorest, the United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organisation and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development said in a report last week.
Mr Nath said India had already allowed some exports to Sierra Leone and would consider other exemptions for Africa. "We will have some carve-out to African countries depending on our own current production," he said.
He did not give details but there is speculation that India might eventually export about 2m tonnes of rice to the least developed African countries as well as some neighbouring nations, including Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan.
The move fits with India's growing diplomatic efforts to woo African nations and counter China's rising influence in the resource-rich continent.
India's economy continues to grow strongly, reaching a rate of 9 per cent in the last fiscal year, according to government figures released on Friday.
The new report predicted growth of 8.5 per cent this year but the rising cost of fuel has contributed to a sharp jump in inflation. In the 12 months ended May 17, it reached 8.1 per cent, a three and a half year high and well above the central bank's target of less than 5.5 per cent.
Mr Nath said the price of imported cooking oil and lentils had more than doubled "not because of India-supply stress but international supply-side stress".
He said: "We have no shortage of rice and wheat. Our buffer stocks are adequate. Our production has not been reduced. Food prices are driven to a large extent by sentiment and not merely by supply and demand."
By Joe Leahy in Mumbai and Amy Yee in New Delhi
Published: June 2 2008 03:00
India is facing growing pressure from African countries to exempt them from export bans on rice implemented by New Delhi to curb domestic food price inflation.
The move illustrates how efforts by large producers such as India to control a sharp rise in food costs are hurting poor nations and giving rise to a form of rice diplomacy."We have no shortage of rice and wheat. Our buffer stocks are adequate. Our production has not been reduced. Food prices are driven to a large extent by sentiment and not merely by supply and demand, says the indian minister
"I have a minister from Mali [here]," said Kamal Nath, India's commerce and industries minister, in an interview with the Financial Times.
"They are traditional buyers of rice so when we banned the export of our cheaper medium-quality rice, they [were] in trouble."
Global food prices are expected to remain high over the next decade, spelling hardship for millions of the world's poorest, the United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organisation and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development said in a report last week.
Mr Nath said India had already allowed some exports to Sierra Leone and would consider other exemptions for Africa. "We will have some carve-out to African countries depending on our own current production," he said.
He did not give details but there is speculation that India might eventually export about 2m tonnes of rice to the least developed African countries as well as some neighbouring nations, including Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan.
The move fits with India's growing diplomatic efforts to woo African nations and counter China's rising influence in the resource-rich continent.
India's economy continues to grow strongly, reaching a rate of 9 per cent in the last fiscal year, according to government figures released on Friday.
The new report predicted growth of 8.5 per cent this year but the rising cost of fuel has contributed to a sharp jump in inflation. In the 12 months ended May 17, it reached 8.1 per cent, a three and a half year high and well above the central bank's target of less than 5.5 per cent.
Mr Nath said the price of imported cooking oil and lentils had more than doubled "not because of India-supply stress but international supply-side stress".
He said: "We have no shortage of rice and wheat. Our buffer stocks are adequate. Our production has not been reduced. Food prices are driven to a large extent by sentiment and not merely by supply and demand."
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