Oh. Sunday just happens to be a great day! I guess if one lived in another country Sunday would not be Sunday as other days might be the day of rest, if there in fact was one. It's weird that after growing up in a Colonial society that we accept certain traditions and customs, but that's life. What were the indigenous peoples traditions and customs? What was their day of rest, if any? Well, we have, finally, coming up in October, a day to recognize the first peoples. I hope that full use of the one off holiday is utilized to educate the population and not for just a parade or a fun day at Maracas.
The Independence parade is coming up, I hope that the President does not make a decision to stop the march past and the showing of the country's military might. I will be very disappointed if I waste my time going down to Roxy roundabout and not see the parade of the back hoes, tractors and refrigerated trucks. We need at all times to show those who have evil thoughts, don't mess with us! Grenada, SVG, Guyana, are you listening? If you think about challenging our military might, think again. It will be 'fire and fury' as you have never seen. We can do things with a back hoe never seen before!
I have always questioned the purpose of the Defense Force [TTDF]. A population of 1.3M people and we have a full fledged army. We recently had the senior officer of the Regiment being promoted on the eve of his retirement from one rank to another. The senior officer is ranked as a Brigadier General. The TTDF is one of the largest military forces in the English speaking Caribbean. The TTDF has the world's only Military steelband and possibly the only Army Fete.
So what is the cost of maintaining this military might and to what purpose? When you really think of it what is the actual purpose of having this force and is it necessary? You will hear that the Regiment saved us in 1990, but they were the actual perpetrators in 1970. If it was not for the then Commissioner of Police, Peter May we may be a very different country. So, we keep the Defense Force for an eventuality every so often, which if we had good governance, we would never have use for them.
I am not convinced that a land based defense force is required. I fully support a fully functional Coast Guard, Marine Police and Customs force.
The whole military parade on Independence Day will be discussed on Independence Day.
As we all know the President has now determined Republic Day as the 'medals' day. Looking at the medals and the military might I did a little checking. In 1970, the year of the first 'revolution' in T&T the medals were as follows:
the Humming Bird Medal Silver - Mr Kelvin Pope
the Humming Bird Medal Silver - Stephanie Scipio Pollard
and others
the Public Service Medal of Merit Gold - Brigadier Joffre CH Serrette
the '''''''''''''''''Silver - Captain David Bloom
the '''''''''''''''''Silver - Mr Claud Anthony May
Don't know if you know but these were the people, the Public Service Medal recipients, who actually saved this country from anarchy. 'Duke' and Ms Pollard received a higher recognition than the people who put their lives on the line for this country.
Do not say 'ferry'! What an absolute mess, a complete coverup, a ratch of immense proportions. Typical of the ruling party, the issue of Tobago ferries has been a bone of contention. If one goes back in time and looks at the history of this government's performance when it comes to purchasing or leasing vessels one can see a common thread of bobol.
All I will say is when you have Ministers and Chairmen and CEOs not answering their phones or saying 'no comment' when asked pertinent questions then one should be concerned and smell a big rat. The entire 'ferry fiasco' stinks of corruption, personal involvement by persons directly connected, kick backs, and for those who in the mix who are not supposed to be there then my advice would be to run like hell! This 'ferry' issue is going to blow up in your face you are going to be classed as one of the corrupt. If you have any integrity, if your life was based on certain values, certain morals then now is the time to bail. Do not wait for the proverbial 'iceberg'.
There is so much wrong in the way we accept governance, apparently if this is how it has been done for fifty years then it's OK. It's not, what we accept as the norm for governance is the furthest thing from what is acceptable. Understand, even for a Sunday night posting, the contract with the people, the Constitution, is essential to a fair, equitable, reasonable and acceptable way of life. If we had a good contract with the people the 'ferry fiasco' could not have happened. Tobago, our sister isle, would not have been under the pressure it is experiencing, imagine if the Caroni bridge collapsed at the same time all other bridges along the river became impassable?
Good night and good luck people of the rock!
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