Friday, February 8, 2008

the Trini Outlaw

The Trini Outlaw has gotten a permanent home.

http://www.thetrinioutlaw.com

Please update your bookmarks/favorites.

Wednesday, February 6, 2008

PNMtium

A major research institution has announced the discovery of the heaviest element yet know to science - "PNMtium." It has 1 neutron, 12 assistant neutrons, 75 deputy neutrons and 111 assistant deputy neutrons for an atomic mass of 312. These 312 particles are held together by forces called morons that are further surrounded by vast quantities of lepton-like sub particles called peons (also called URPeons). There is a related group of sub-particles called CEPEPeons which occupy space, but do little more than polish adjacent matter while consuming vast amounts of resources. Without these sub-particles, however, it becomes almost impossible for PNMtium to exist.

PNMtium has no electrons and is therefore inert. It can be detected however since it impedes every reaction it comes into contact with. A tiny amount of PNMtium can take a reaction that normally occurs in seconds and slow it to the point where it can take years.

PNMtium has a normal half-life of 2.5 years. It doesn't decay but "re-organizes", a process where assistant deputy neutrons and deputy neutrons change places. This process actually causes it to grow as in the confusion some morons become neutrons, thereby forming isodopes.

This phenomenon of "moron promotion" has led to some speculation that PNMtium forms whenever sufficient morons meet in concentration forming critical morass. Researches believe that in PNMtium, the more you re-organize, the morass you cover.

Friday, February 1, 2008

Hunter feat. Bunji Garlin

Lalchan 'Hunter' Babwa singing some future releases and his break out single "Bring It" with Bunji Garlin in an All Inclusive fete


Wednesday, January 30, 2008

RADAR DOWN AGAIN

Source: Trinidad Express


-Photo: TREVOR HACKETT

The radar installation on the San Fernando Hill that forms part of the State's $100 million 360-degree coastal surveillance system went dead again four days ago and has become a roost for corbeaux.

All day yesterday, the birds, which feed on carrion, flew around or nestled on the facility. But the Ministry of National Security has refused to comment on what some believe to be a malfunction of the system that Government considers critical in the fight against drug and gun smugglers.

Another waste of money by the PNM. What's new?
Look like the corbeaux making better use of this glorified bird nest.

Plot to destabilise COP

Dookeran:
Source: Trinidad Express

Saturday, January 26, 2008

PNM Dirty Laundry in Senate Uproar

Opposition Senator causes stir in Senate
Sunday 27th January, 2008
Source: Trinidad Guardian

By Yvonne Baboolal

Author and popular letter writer, Mohammed Faisal Rahman, now an Opposition Senator, caused a stir in the Senate last Tuesday when he made his contribution to the Supplementary Appropriation Bill, prompting at least one Government Senator to say no to a request to extend his speaking time.

Rahman made several statements that kept Government Senators wide awake way past the 4.30 pm tea break, one of which was that it was a common practice for former PNM ministers to often ride free on the national airline, BWIA.

“I used to be in the travel business and airline personnel told me BWIA used to be packed with government ministers, not from this regime, from the past, from first class right down.

“BWIA too often had to carry non-revenue seats. Mr President can I ask for your help Sir?” Rahman asked, forced to break his contribution because of the chorus of protests that rose from the Government benches. (Now we see why BWIA was always running at a loss under the PNM.)

When the noises from the other side abated, the bearded Rahman reminded the Government that the reasons it gave for wanting to shut down the national airline was that it was saddled with inefficiencies and cost overruns.

Next, he moved on to attack Government’s 2020 Vision and its emphasis on the construction of mega buildings in the city, in particular.

“Vision 2020 seems to be an altered skyline. I see the buildings all stacked up there and it looks like a little piece of New York.

“But the Government should be building schools, houses, hospitals and police stations to bring social benefits to the people. (Well done Mr. Rahaman. Apparently the 299,813 PNMites don't have much of a brain, so they are unable to realise that they can't eat sky-scrapers and that they are being treated like 3rd class citizens.)

“Government is supposed to be providing security, food, clothing and shelter...I am giving you some discomfort, am I?” he paused again to ask a Government Senator who had fired a salvo at him.

Continuing, Rahman then blamed Prime Minister Patrick Manning for the high cost of goods in the country.

“Manning didn’t float the dollar. He submerged it like a submarine and handed control of the currency of the nation to the banking sector.

“The sovereignty of a nation hinges on its control of its currency and when you give it to the banks they determine what goods cost. Over the years the banks continued to devaluate the dollar and profit by this. “The dollar has been steadily losing its purchasing power. One dollar is now worth 16 cents,” Rahman informed the Senate.

He said all of this was linked to crime. “Necessity can make a priest, maulana or pundit a criminal. But how can you be concerned for the poor when you are living in a $48 million palace?” he asked rhetorically. (Well all Manning care about is being a King and the PNMites, as I said earlier, fail to realise that they can't live on sky-scrapers and palaces won't do them any good either.)

At this, a Government Senator shot up, Standing Orders in hand, and pointed Senate President Danny Montano to a rule that spoke about the relevancy of a speaker’s contribution.

Montano agreed that Rahman had certainly sailed way off course and asked him to try and bring his contribution nearer to the subject at hand.

Rahman, noting he was not telling the Government these things because he was on “the other side” but because he was a citizen of the country, then digressed to disclose that he had once been a supporter of the PNM for years. “I was a PNM boy,” he said.

He also took the opportunity to chastise Manning for once referring to himself as the father of the nation, declaring, “There has been and will always be only one father of the nation, Dr Eric Williams.”

When his speaking time ended shortly after and a request to extend it by 15 minutes was put to the vote, one Government Senator (Couldn't handle the heat eh?) said a loud no.

Grateful that it was only one person, Rahman said, “I thank the majority on the other side for allowing me to speak, at their expense.”

Well it seems to me that Mr. Rahaman is really a fine choice by the UNC-A. Bravo on your stellar contribution to the Upper House.

Human Rats Strike Again!

'Human rats' blamed again
Cocaine missing from station
Source: Trinidad Express

GANGING UP

340 per cent increase: 1,700 members in 86 gangs in T&T
Ria Taitt Political Editor
Source: Trinidad Express
Saturday, January 26th 2008


Criminal gangs in Trinidad and Tobago are multiplying and fast, both in terms of the numbers of gangs and the numbers of persons joining gangs. The activity is leaving one with inescapable conclusion that the society is now under greater threat.

Speaking in the House of Representatives yesterday, National Security Minister Martin Joseph stated that there were now 86 gangs, comprising up to 1,720 members across the country.

He said the average size of each gang varied between 15 to 20 members, which meant that the total membership was between 1,300 to 1,720 persons.

The situation has deteriorated considerably over the past 18 months. The last time Joseph gave a head count, he told the House of Representatives on June 6, 2005, that there were some "500 hardcore members" in the "66 known gangs".

Yesterday's figures therefore represent an over 340 per cent increase in the membership of gangs and a 30 per cent increase in the numbers of gangs.

Joseph said the reason for the proliferation was because "splinter groups were being formed within gangs as a result of some displacement activity".

Asked by Tabaquite MP Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj whether any of these criminal gangs were brought to justice in the courts, Joseph said his understanding was that a number of them were, but he did not have the specific information.

The minister has repeatedly stated that the record murder toll for last year was the result of gang-related activity, since most of the homicides in Trinidad and Tobago are gang-linked. He also stated that most of the gang-related activity is directly linked to the problem of the illegal drug trade and the prevalence of firearms. (Maybe if the multi-million dollar radar, that the PNM bought with tax payer's money was working, we wouldn't have this problem.)

Yesterday, Joseph said among the initiatives taken since 2006 to arrest gang members were the establishment of the Homicide Prevention Working Group and the Inter Agency Task Force (IATF), which created a presence in Carenage, Diego Martin, Beetham Gardens and Cocorite. This was in addition to the established centres of operation in Quarry Street, Charford Court, Harpe Place and Beverly Hills, he said. (See Page 6) (We need a police presence in the areas of the country where crime against the hard working citizens is prevalent, not where criminals are shooting criminals, who gives a f**k!)

He said because efforts to disrupt the activities of gangs also had to include initiatives to disrupt the drug trade, Government had also restructured the Homicide Bureau of Investigation, established the Repeat Offenders Programme, purchased vehicles, established police posts in the Morvant/Laventille area to deal with rising gang activity; the establishment of the Crime and Problem Analysis Branch; E-999 patrols, roadblocks and other police and joint army and police patrols.

In response to another question, Joseph revealed that the Firearms Interdiction Unit had seized a total of 111 firearms and 2,813 rounds of ammunition between 2003 and 2005, when it was disbanded. The areas from which the arms and ammunition were retrieved included Chatham, Port of Spain, Arima, Tableland, Claxton Bay, San Fernando, Chaguanas, Princes Town, Laventille, Cunupia, Longdenville, Cedros, Sea Lots, Valencia, Morvant, Curepe, Valsayn North, Trincity, Rousillac, Toco, Maracas Bay and Tobago.

He said the FIU was disbanded in July 2005, and since then the Police Service has seized 110 firearms in the last six months of 2005, 266 in 2006 and 220 in 2007.

Fartin Joseph has all this information and yet he can't make any progress in the fight against gang violence. That just goes to show you how completely inept the PNM is. Now as you all may kn0w, I don't have a problem with gang violence. So what if gang members kill one another, it's not like they were productive members of society anyway. In fact these gang member who are still alive are destructive members of society in my book. I say cordon off the area and let them kill one another.

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

Pregnant mom hit by school boys, foetus in danger

Source: Trinidad Express

Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Bandits attack media at Chutney finals


By CECILY ASSON Monday, January 21 2008
Source: T&T Newsday


NEWSPAPER photographers who covered the Chutney Soca Monarch Finals at Skinner Park, San Fernando, were attacked by a group of bandits outside the venue early yesterday morning.

Newsday photographer Anil Rampersad suffered an injury to his back, while Express photographer Dave Persad was allegedly slapped in the face and hit with a bottle on the head. Photographers Trevor Hackett (Express) and Rishi Ragoonath (Guardian) escaped unhurt.

Five suspects have been detained in connection with the incident which took place as the photographers were headed back to their respective vehicles parked on the “B” ground, Skinner Park, the designated parking area for the media workers on the night.

Rampersad said they were denied parking inside the venue and were shuttled into Skinner Park. However, after the event a shuttle service was unavailable.

The photographers were attacked at about 3.45 am as they were walking along the Rienzi/Kirton Highway, Cross Crossing, near Skinner Park. A gang of about eight men rained bottles on them when they reacted to their alleged attempts to rob them. Rampersad was struck in the back with a bottle as he tried to run for cover.

Plain clothes police officers on their way out of Skinner Park were alerted to the incident.

Five suspects were held and taken to San Fernando CID where up to late yesterday evening they were still detained.

The injured photographers were forced to seek medical attention at the Princes Town District Health Facility after waiting several hours at the San Fernando General Hospital without being attended to. Rampersad yesterday blamed organisers of the annual chutney event for the unfortunate incident. He explained: “If only the media were shown some more respect with parking arrangements this would not have happened.”

Investigations are continuing.

Pictures, pictures of our Health Ministry *cough* .... well look at that picture. Let's hear the names of these members of the media now who were attacked. Anil Rampersad and Dave Persad (Trevor Hackett and Rishi Ragoonath were not assaulted). Where they were attacked? At the Chutney Soca Monarch Finals at Skinner Park. Who attacked them? See above picture. Now it looks to me like those fellows doing the attacking are a bunch of fellows of African Descent and the 2 media men who were attacked, from the names given, seem to be of East Indian Descent. First thing people might bawl is that Trini Views is another racist, but the fact still remains that this attack here can be classified as a racial attack by Afro-Trinis on Indo-Trinis. What could these reporters have possibly done to these men to warrant such a violent attack? They say it was attempted robbery, but what would you expect to get from some cameramen covering an event? Film? Cameras? Come on, call a spade a spade.

Idiots' (PNM's) Dilema

'Improve water supply or maintain cheap gas?'
Govt's $2b dilemma
Source: Trinidad Express

Motorists could find themselves paying more for gasoline and diesel at the pump sometime in the not too distant future but Energy Minister Conrad Enill says they are already doing so out of their taxes anyway.

In an interview yesterday, Enill said the Government was in the early stages of examining the possibility of a reduction in the $2 billion a year State subsidy on gasoline and diesel which is paid for out of the taxes it collects.

He said the Government had no choice but to deliberate the matter given the record high price of oil that was now hovering at around US$90 a barrel. (Pull up dey selectah! You now bawl oil selling at a record high price and you saying that the Government can no longer pay for the subsidy on gasoline and diesel? Conrad Enill even more stupid than he looks! If the oil selling at record high prices, it would stand to reason that the Government was making more money and would therefore be able to subsidise a whole lot more than just fuel. These people take we for idiots or something? All they will be doing is making inflation higher than it already is if they take of the subsidy on transportation fuel. I'm sure you all remembered what happened when the PNM raised the price of transportation fuel. The price of basically all consumer items, including the price of food on the whole, went up, up, up! So what it is the PNM really trying to accomplish by doing this? Make the rich richer and the poor poorer (or dead) perhaps?)

"We are conducting a preliminary examination of the issue in relation to expenditure in other areas of the economy," Enill said.

"A subsidy simply says that instead of the people getting it in increased taxes, they are getting it in reduced fuel. They are paying for it (increased fuel cost)," Enill also said.

Enill's comments followed Trade and Industry Minister Keith Rowley statement in the Parliament last Friday that the time had come for the Government to reconsider the subsidy in light of record high global oil prices as it was buying oil at the international price to keep the State-owned refinery's operating at full capacity. (Ah yes, let the poor man suffer some more. Goverment making billions when they sell oil and gas so let the poor man suffer some more.)

The fuel subsidy has been the sole protection to drivers in Trinidad and Tobago from the negative effects of any fluctuations in the international oil markets.

In Trinidad and Tobago it now costs drivers TT$3 per litre to fill up the tank of a gasoline fuelled vehicle.

In nearby Barbados, the cost of filling up the tank of a gasoline vehicle is BDS$2.30 (TT$7.21) per litre. (Yeah man you keep quoting figures. You ever notice the PNM always quotes figures that make them look good? Why not quote the price of gasoline from a nation that produces oil and gas, eh Enill?)

Enill said the record high oil prices are forcing the Government to make some hard choices regarding the use of subsidies and gave the example of the ambitious restructuring plans for WASA which is projected to cost a total of US$2 billion (TT$12.5 billion).

Prime Minister Patrick Manning had said that his administration "had no option" but to review water rates given the $1 billion annual subsidy the State pays for the supply of water.

"The gas subsidy is now at $2 billion. The government now finds itself having to answer a particular question," Enill said.

"Is the $2 billion a year better provided to water supply for everybody or for cheap gas and continuing the situation where people can travel at a very low cost." (Well considering the fact that the high-density-PNM-supporter zone of Lavantille doesn't pay for water, lights, telephone or rent for that matter. The more logical choice would be to increase water rates, since this would have little or no effect on the PNM heartland.)

He said, however, said the issue was really one of economic policy that was being discussed within the Finance Ministry and he was only speaking from the standpoint of the energy side of the equation.

"Right now, we have an increase in oil prices and, therefore, the increase in oil prices is going to find itself in the finished product.

So the question is not about increases in prices, the question is about the use of the subsidy it is not about price increase. Prices are increasing, so the subsidy is increasing," Enill also said.

Well it seems that the PNM wants the already ready high rate of inflation to rise further and cause poor people in this country to suffer more than they already are. Now the poor PNMites don't have a problem with this because they are accustomed to living in sordid squalor and they have programmes such as CEPEP, URP and the PNM Smart-man Card, which they benefit from. And if these aren't sufficient, there is always some unsuspecting, working class citizen, ready and available to rob due to the lack of T&T having a working Police Service.

PM, Joseph try to defend radar

Source: Trinidad Express

Saturday, January 19, 2008

Speaker blanks Ramesh on PM issue

I know I've said this before but you know when it's nice they say do it twice so I really want to know.
Why does Manning need so much security if crime is under control? Somebody tell mih why? WHY?

Why is it OK for Manning to use state funds to hire private security to protect himself but it's not OK for the UNC-A to use their own money to hire security to protect citizens who are at risk?
Another thing, does Manning not trust his own police force? Why does he have to hire private security when there are all these special branches of the police force? Apparently the TTPS is not good enough to safeguard Patrick Manning's life but they are just fine for protecting 1.3 million at risk citizens. See article below.


Source: Trinidad Guardian 190108

Lack of confidence

  • Maharaj says by hiring additional private security, the Prime Minister has demonstrated a lack of confidence in the Police Service.

By Shaliza Hassanali

Speaker Barendra Sinanan yesterday turned down Tabaquite MP Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj’s request to discuss the increase in Prime Minister Patrick Manning’s security detail while citizens remained unprotected. (Well that's what the PNM is paying him for. He is just another puppet in the PNM muppet show.)

Maharaj said while the PNM Government—“within the last 24 hours”—gave Manning additional security, which included contracted private security guards, citizens were losing their lives as they remained without police protection. (When will everybody realise that Patrick Manning doesn't care?)

Sinanan told the House of Representatives that he could not allow the Opposition Chief Whip’s motion because it did not qualify under the Standing Orders. (A matter of public importance such as this and you mean this man won't allow it. He always brings up some Standing Order at his convenience to knock down any motion by the opposition dealing with the very important issue of crime just so the PNM will not look bad.)

Maharaj raised the matter, stating that while the PM had received private security guards, in addition to regular police and defence personnel of the State to protect his life at his residence, office and public places, people throughout the nation were without police protection.

“The Government does not provide police presence in communities to prevent the people from being murdered and from having serious crimes committed against them daily,” Maharaj said. (Keep voting the PNM back in and see how much people will live to see the year 2020.)

He said the Constitution required that the Government provide the people with such security and treat them equally. (The only part of the constitution that the PNM cares about is that part about changing it to make Manning an executive president/ultimate dictator and making T&T into a dictatorship.)

“The Prime Minister has demonstrated a lack of confidence in the Police Service to adequately protect his life,” Maharaj said.

Sinanan said it was not a question of whether he would allow the motion.

“It’s whether he (Manning) would answer it. This motion does not qualify under the Standing Orders.”

Barry probably have his own private security too, so he really doesn't mind if Patrick decide to hire some private security for himself.

Thursday, January 17, 2008

Manning gets private guards

So let me get this straight. Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj of the UNC-A hires private security for residents of Macaulay who have been hit by an upsurge of crime in recent times and statements coming out of the PNM call it vigilantism. If that is vigilantism then why the hell did Patrick Manning, the "great" leader of the PNM, hire private security for himself? Is he promoting vigilantism in this country? Or is it OK for him to have private security but not OK for poor people to have security?

From his action in hiring private security, Manning has showed us two things.
  1. He has no faith in the protective services of Trinidad and Tobago, who are in charge of protecting the citizens of Trinidad and Tobago.
  2. He only cares about the safety of himself and his family and no one else.
When last was the Prime Minister, Patrick Manning, held up at gun-point? When last was their an attempted kidnapping on any one of his immediate family?
Another thing, why is it not called vigilantism when the rich people from places like West Moorings, Valsayn, Goodwood Park and Lange Park hire private security? Is it because they are rich that it's not vigilantism? So I guess this means that poor people shouldn't be given protection then, according to what's being spewed by the PNM.
I say it's high time we get rid of this nasty regime going by the name of the PNM. They don't care about poor people and they only business with filling their pockets.
When you read the article below you will also notice that sources could not even state whether there was a tendering process or not. More corruption again!

Source: T&T Newsday

By NALINEE SEELAL Thursday, January 17 2008

SEVENTY-FIVE specially trained, armed guards who were previously assigned to the Office of the Attorney General, Legal Affairs and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), have been posted to provide security at the Prime Minister’s official residence, Diplomatic Centre, Whitehall and as personal security detail for Prime Minister Patrick Manning.

The security company which employs the guards is Executive Security Services Limited and the cost is borne by the Office of the Prime Minsiter.

The lowest ranking officer in this security company takes home a monthly salary of between $10,000 and $12,000, while the highest rank receives a salary of $25,000 monthly. (They shoulda hire me. Or wait, I forgot, I don't have a PNM party card and my hair is too straight.)

These highly paid officers, some of whom are retired policemen and former MTS guards, have virtually replaced Police Special Branch which previously carried out these duties. (Kickbacks to somebody friend or family who decided to open a security firm.)

The officers are under the direct control of former Special Branch Head, retired Assistant Commissioner of Police Mervyn Guiseppi, who previously headed a special security unit set up in 2002 to provide special security for the offices of the Attorney General, the Ministry of Legal Affairs and the DPP.

These guards are trained in policing, anti-terrorist activities and VIP security.

Sources told Newsday that shortly before Prime Minister Manning moved into the official residence at St Ann’s last December, the officers of the Executive Security Services Limited were told they were being reassigned, some to the Office of the Prime Minister, others to the official residence of the Prime Minister, another batch to the Diplomatic Centre and others to the personal security detail of the Prime Minister. By the time the Prime Minister moved into the official residence in late December, the officers were already on duty.

Newsday learned that a security firm from San Fernando East called Innovative Security Technologies Limited is now responsible for security at the office of the Attorney General, Legal Affairs and the Office of the DPP. (More kickbacks.)

Police sources said yesterday that the role of Special Branch in terms of providing security for the Prime Minister has been decreased and will decrease even further.

Disclosure of special private security around the Prime Minister, comes at a time when there has been criticism of the formation of crime watch community groups assisted by private armed guards. (Just what I was saying.)

Yesterday, Opposition Chief Whip Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj who has started using armed guards to patrol and fight crime in his Tabaquite constituency said: “The Prime Minister is concerned only about the personal security of himself and his family and is not concerned about the security of the people of Trinidad and Tobago to have police presence in their communities.

He said that the Government should let the people know about these new security measures. “The fact is that all previous Prime Ministers had the services of the police, army and Special Branch and all of these agencies and manpower were resourced by the State and the taxpayers and the people for greater accountability.”

Sources yesterday could not state whether a tendering process took place before Executive Security secured this contract and what is the value of this contract. (Like I was saying above, they can't even say if there was a tendering process or not. More PNM styled corruption!)

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

A week in the life of a Trini

One week of tales, real and terrible
Monday, January 14th 2008
Source: Trinidad Express

Saturday: I am in a well-appointed clothes store on lower Frederick Street, looking at a rack of garments. A young woman walks in holding a toddler by the hand, with an open bottle of malta in the other. The guard politely says, "Excuse me miss " She turns around and, anticipating what he is about to say, says quickly and pleasantly, "I'm not drinking it". He says, "yes but ". She says, "Yuh still can't come with it?" He says something like, "That's right". She seems all right with the rules, however, the tall young man who trails in behind her says "look, leh we get the f--- outta here; I ent want nobody talking to you like you is a (inaudible)''. The young woman and the child make an about turn and leave with him as he continues: "Like dey want me shoot someone here today; I could f---ing shoot ." (I could bet mih bottom dollar it was a semi-literate PNMite getting on so.)

Wednesday or thereabouts: A friend calls me from St James; there appears to be a dead man in a sitting position on a chair on the sidewalk; people are walking by, he says, seemingly unconcerned. It seems to be a natural death, given the fact that he is seated calmly and there is no blood. It's almost a relief to hear that someone might have died naturally. My friend calls me back about forty-five minutes later, in amazement; the body is still there and people are still streaming by

Thursday: I suspect the store opposite my office has been robbed; a special response car is driving off and there are people who have come out from their own buildings to peer at the scene with worried looks on their faces, and one talks about having seen a young man leaning up against a "No Parking" sign, looking at the store in question just before the police arrived

Friday: I walk into the head office of a religious order to request a document. I wait and wait after my request is made; as I am waiting, a well-spoken woman working in the reception area, maybe in her 50s, is heard to declare (thankfully not to me), that she is not taking any bullsh.. this year. The key word is highly audible - in the religious space

Friday again: I walk across the Brian Lara Promenade from lower Edward Street to St Vincent Street. The stench of rotting garbage is almost unbearable

Friday yet again: I lose track of the number of people whose deaths were reported this week on the first few pages of the daily newspapers. Oh, right, the week isn't quite over yet.

2020?

Sonja

via e-mail

This is the state we have now reached to in Trinidad and Tobago. We have gone from bad to worse and yet Manning and the PNM are still crowing about Vision 2020. The way things going, when Manning finish with this country we will hit vision 2020BC.

Ramesh merely trying to protect his people

Source: Trinidad Express
Tuesday, January 15th 2008

I have never been a fan or supporter of Ramesh Maharaj. However I must express my support for his initiatives to try to provide a level of security for his constituents.

There is no doubt that the State has failed to protect the law-abiding citizens of this land and the Government and its supporters do not even take responsibility for its failure. Ramesh Maharaj has taken the only logical step in organising a community to look out for itself. Someone needs to advise Mr Imbert that self defence is not vigilantism.

Naushad Khan

Valsayn

Sometimes I wonder why PNMites couldn't have sense too?

No time to party

Source: Trinidad Express
Tuesday, January 15th 2008

This is ridiculous! The country is falling apart at the seams and criminals are in control of the national landscape, and all the PNM people can do is to hold a big victory fete in Tunapuna complete with wine and jam? And their supporters lap it up like rum and roti?

The elections ended more than two months ago but it seems that these people are still campaigning with a vengeance! I understand they will be having a Carnival fete at their Balisier House too. When will the madness stop? Where are the born-again Christians in the PNM who like to demonise other people's religions?

Priyanka Jaisundar

Princes Town

Well said Priyanka. Damn well said.

Tuesday, January 15, 2008

Ramesh: Protection good for rich and not the poor?

Source: Trinidad Express

More woes for South kidney patients


Monday, January 14, 2008

PNMites will eat grass!

Dookeran: Govt has lost control
Announcement on increasing water rates

Sunday, January 13, 2008

Gang violence Set to spin out of control

Source: Trinidad Guardian 130108

Gangs are claiming new territory in East, South and Central Trinidad even as police continue to crack down on their urban strong holds in Port-of-Spain.

Areas, as far east as Sangre Grande to Point Fortin in the South, are now experiencing increased criminal activity, as gangs based in Port-of-Spain establish operational cells and actively recruit new members.

And while the police and security services continue in their attempts to combat gang violence, Sunday Guardian reporter GIZELLE MORRIS found out residents of the areas are being targeted, and seem to have given themselves up to living in fear.

In a bid to crack down of gang-related crime, National Security Minister Martin Joseph, last week unveiled a series of “new” initiatives before the Parliament.

The highly criticised measures included the strengthening of the Homicide Prevention Working Group and Homicide Bureau of Investigations, along with a refocusing of the Inter-Agency Task Force to provide increased support for gang suppression in hotspot areas.

According to police statistics provided by acting Deputy Police Commissioner (Crime & Operations) Gilbert Reyes, the number of gang-related murders has steadily increased from 20 per cent in 2003 to more than 50 per cent of the annual homicide rate last year.

In 2003, of the 229 reported homicides 46 were gang-related. This number dropped to 32 in 2004, when 260 homicides were reported.

The number of gang-related homicides then continued to climb steadily.

And if the member of one Port-of-Spain gang is to be believed, the number of gang-related murders is set to increase as turf wars and power struggles threaten to explode.

When Keron “Blood” Burnett was killed, allegedly by a close associate, G-Unit insiders were not surprised.

“That death warrant sign long time,” claimed one associate of Burnett, who was described as a contract killer.

Burnett’s death is just one in a series of violent assassinations that has rocked the gang as members of the G-Unit grapple for power and leadership since the murder of Kerwyn “Fresh” Phillips last September.

“There is a leader now, but he is keeping a very low profile because…well you see what happening (killing of G-Unit members). But the fellas don’t really respect him. When Fresh was alive, they respected him,” said one G-Unit insider who spoke on condition of anonymity, fearing he would be branded “an informer.”

The basis of Phillip’s respect among his members was more than charisma; those on the inside said it was fear. Those who worked closest to him said he was dangerous when crossed. The man now at the helm, according to the insider, does not have Phillip’s control or a reputation for swift, decisive action.

Phillips was at the height of his power when he was killed in a hail of bullets at Henry Street, Port-of-Spain.

Leading one of T&T’s most organised urban gangs, Phillip kept lucrative contracts, many mistresses and his base of operations at Teshier Terrace, commonly known as The Harpe, and Charford Court.

But with his death and the absence of a strong leader, the insiders believe the violence is set to spin out of control.

One source warned that reprisal killings would increase as those who used the G-Unit and Phillip as a shield to “advantage people” may now find themselves targets.

“Fresh was really backing the peace accord. He had them fellas calm. Now that he dead, people who was afraid to put down wuk will feel they could do what they want,” said one gang member.

The peace accord, signed by Port-of-Spain’s major gang leaders in September 2006 after several anti-crime marches, was aimed at ending the violence in and around the capital city.

Police intervention

In a move to prevent the simmering tensions of ambitious young “shottas” from flaring into open warfare, the Harpe, Charford Court and neighbouring streets remain under the watchful eyes and heavy presence of the police.

Every day, from early morning into late night, the visible presence of the Inter-Agency Task Force armed with intimidating assault rifles, can be seen watchfully patrolling the community’s courtyards or “yard” and wide asphalt pathways.

With the police literally camped out in their back yard (a security post has been set up next to the Renegades Pan Yard on Charlotte Street), things have been quiet in what was once one of Port-of-Spain’s major crime hotspots.

While this offers some relief for shell-shocked residents, it has spelled bad news for once peaceful neighbourhoods in other parts of Trinidad.

As Reyes explained, in a release issued by the Public Relations Department of the Police Service to the Sunday Guardian: “Whenever pressure is applied to the Port-of-Spain area, gang members migrate to Central and deep South to avoid law enforcement and criminals as themselves.”

The move out of Port-of-Spain and into outlying suburbs and towns is not a new phenomenon. This started as early as 2002, when Operation Anaconda rolled into the hills of Laventille as part of a national crime plan by then national security minister Howard Chin Lee. As the lawmen armed with search warrants invaded, criminals fled seeking safety across the Caroni Bridge.

Today, the migration out of the capital city has seen cells of major gangs spring up nation-wide.

New hotspots

Major hot spots for gang activity outside Port-of-Spain, according to police intelligence, include Santa Cruz, Mount D’Or, St Joseph and Maracas/St Joseph.

In Arima, Pinto Road, Malabar, Samaroo Village and Maturita have joined Temple Street, a long-time drug block and crime hotspot, police said.

The gangs have moved even further east to set up operations in Wallenville and Walks Trace, Sangre Grande.

In the west, Diego Martin, Carenage and the middle to upper income community of Maraval have seen increased gang activity, police said.

Central Trinidad, long a magnet for criminals fleeing the police, and now southern towns like La Brea and Point Fortin have also attracted police notice as a result of gang activity.

“About five years ago gangs start to take root here,” said one Enterprise businessman two Fridays ago.

Standing in the front of the family-owned business, the chubby Indian businessman in his 30s, was willing to talk, but hesitant to have his name published.

“Next thing these fellas say (name called) ‘talking about we’ and come for me,” he said.

It is with the same friendly tone and affable manner he recalled seeing a man armed with a gun, jump out of car right in front of his business and attempt to kill another man.

More dangerous

“Every day the crime gets more dangerous, it is not even safe in the house…nowhere safe now,” he says and shrugs his shoulders.

Asked if he ever felt fearful enough to move out, his response was surprising.

“No. I born in here, we are known here as business people and deal good with the community. I never had the idea to sell out and go,” the entrepreneur said.

But while he thought the living in Enterprise was bad, he identified the situation in Longdenville as even worse.

“The police post there is a waste of time,” he said.

“The police post here and drugs selling right there,” he said.

When the Sunday Guardian visited Longdenville things were peaceful, sleepy even. The sale of illicit drugs was not evident and hardly anyone, except for the odd stray dog, could be seen on the street.

In one parlour on the main road, a shopkeeper attended to young customers.

“You could have left your doors open and children home 20, 30 years ago. Now you have a high wall with razor wire and they jumping that to come for you,” the shopkeeper said from behind thick iron bars.

It was midday but the houses/businesses on both sides of her business were locked tight.

“That neighbour get rob and had the car stolen,” she said pointing to the house on the right. “Over so,” she said pointing to another house, “some fellas rush in and chop the husband in front the wife.”

Strangers blamed

She blamed the increase in crime on the influx of “strangers” in the once sleepy village.

“It have a set of deportees, people coming out of jail and fellas from Beetham and Sea Lots coming here (to) hide out,” she said.

So where are the gangs? She pointed to a narrow side street called Flemming Trace.

In Flemming Trace, while one family prepared to bury a young man shot at a New Year’s party, in what police said was a gang-related incident, another recalled the pain of a youth murdered in his prime.

“They need to implement hanging so criminals will ‘fraid to kill people. Otherwise they will go on killing people like normal,” said outspoken Jenatta Jerimiah, sister of 2004 murder victim Clinton Seales.

Although 23-year-old Marvin Nedd was convicted and sentenced to hang last July for the murder, Seales’ sister was still angry and unsatisfied.

“Although we get justice, I know them not going to hang nobody,” she said.

At this point, a neighbour passing by interjects, “They need to start popping (breaking) necks! What they keeping them there for, souvenirs?”

Jennifer Seales, the young man’s mother, hovered quietly in the doorway of their home as her daughter angrily decried the crime situation in the community.

“Crime just getting worse,” she said, “Not only here, but in other places and the same thing just happening over and over, and nobody doing nothing about it.”

Like Seales, other residents of Central had ideas for stopping the crime.

“Police need to respond quicker,” said one resident of Homeland Gardens. While he said the area was yet to be touched by the growing influence of gangs in Central, he identified drugs as a growing problem.

In Enterprise, the cheerful young businessman suggested the use of what he called stop points. He described the system as one where police and army arrange checkpoints at strategic spots along the main roads, helped by barriers that act as speed bumps to slow traffic.

He said this would allow the police to better scrutinise occupants of vehicles and lock down main thoroughfares for searches in cases of kidnappings and other serious crimes.

“It might sound small, but it will be good for the country,” he said.

Police Action

In addition to the measures outlined by Minister Joseph last week the police also were engaged in other activities aimed at cracking down on gang violence.

Intelligence-gathering and new technologies, such as crime scene investigations for capturing DNA evidence, should ease the police dependence on witness testimony and help increase the conviction rate.

Crime-mapping technology, which was used in the UK and US, is also being utilised.

“This is very important because it will give us a clear indication of what is happening, as far as crime patterns, which will enable us to deploy human resource appropriately,” Reyes explained.

However, police were reluctant, offering only a “no comment” when asked about the other methods being used to crack down on gangs.

Now I have no problems with gang violence spinning out of control, as long as it doesn't involve the law abiding citizens. I say let them kill out each other. Why the hell the police want to protect gang members from themselves, just make sure they don't come out into the public and start killing the law abiding citizens who are willing to do an honest days work for their living. The increased percentage in gang-related murders is excellent news, it means that there are now less criminals to deal with and the citizens of T&T stand a better chance or surviving to see the year 2020. My suggestion to the police is to simply use surveillance on these crime hot spots, make sure the gang members don't leave these hot spots with weapons in their possession, but once they are killing each other then let them do so. It will mean that the police will have less work to do (something they should be glad for) and it would also mean that the streets would be safer for every one. Think about it, if we let these gangs continue warring with each other, they will not have time to focus on killing, kidnapping and robbing the law abiding citizens. They will be too busy watching their backs and planning their next assault on the rival gang that they are warring with. I'm all for gang members killing other gang members. I call that a service to the public because as soon as the gang war is over, who you think these gangs will be focusing their attention on? The law abiding citizens, that's who. The Central and South business men, that's who. Your wife and your daughters, that's who. So hope and pray that the gang killings continue until all these gangs end up killing out each other.

PNM raising water rates after elections!

WATER RISING
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Source: Trinidad Express