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' pith helmets'


Sometime in the early eighties, I was part of a pan side called 'Honkey Tones'. The membership, you guessed, was a bunch of white boys, all friends, who came together to play, you guessed right again, pan. We actually played at a couple of functions, one being at the Lions Club. I cannot remember who or why but we had great fun. No, we never entered the small band category, this was strictly fun. The membership was never restricted, you did not have to be white to be eligible, it was just a fun thing amongst friends. What reminded me of the 'Tones' was listening tonight to 'Rock the Boat' by the Hues Corporation. This was our signature tune. Isn't it sad that pan pioneers like Ellie Mannette could just disappear without a note being played. No wonder we are obsessed with the Columbus statue, we do not even recognize our own. The Brian Lara Promenade should be a heroes square, Lavantille should be a national treasure. Instead, we focus on who wet down the MP. 'Honkey Tones' did not make it to the finals in any category but we sure had a lot of fun.

' Will the suffering end'. This statement greeted me in Maraval village going to buy papers this morning.  It was on a poster manned by a devout Christain. I must say that within recent years I am more of a follower of Charles Darwin and Stephen Hawking. In my dotish years, I am doubting. Not a very comfortable feeling after 66 years of hell and damnation, but maybe there is something out there that we do not know and will at some stage appear. I would like to witness this, whatever it is,  but then it would probably be the end of our existence as we know it. Maybe I do not need to know.

The PMOTT's rankings have been published. His popularity is now pegged at 45%, up from 42%. This means that more than half of the population does not support the guy. This, of course, reflects the polarity in the political system, the dislike for the person and the disappointment in the person who just happens to be the PMOTT. If I was the person I would be a bit concerned that more than half of my subjects do not like me. He keeps making the point that he does not care, that he will do what is required, this is not a popularity contest, he is prepared to lose the next election if it is that what he is doing is right for the country. All laudable. I think what he should be saying is that I will fix all the ills of the Rock and I will not seek reelection. But he is going up unopposed in his party's internal election. Why? Fix the Rock, let that be your legacy.
How can you do this fix when you refuse to recognize your own involvement in the mess with Petrotrin, as is your current Minister of Finance, your current Minister of Planning, your current Minister of Energy,  the current Minister of Trade, current Minister of Public Administration,  the Speaker of the House. All of you were sitting in the Cabinet of Patrick Manning when the $12.0BN investment was being discussed. You left because of Calder Hart, not Petrotrin, and your lackeys said zip all. I keep saying there is more to the closure of the refinery that meets the eye. God doh sleep! Did I just say that?

The Peoples Republic of China is very much in the news. The new colonization, the money, the control. I hope that we are not entering a new era of the return of the 'pith helmets'. We have no right in reverting to yet another economic colonization. There are other ways we can develop our country without selling our soul to anyone. The Spanish, the French, the English, big oil and now the newest kid on the block, the Chinese.

The 'Honkey Tones' are no more, RIP John Boos and RIP Ellie Mannette (not a member),  but the spirit lives on, pan is it!

Good people of the Republic, the Rock, good night and good luck!




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