61
Olympic Discussion / QUOW
« on: August 04, 2012, 03:36:24 AM »
Y he eh start?
April 19, 2024, 04:35:00 PM
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62
Trinbago, NBA & World Basketball / SHAQ IN TNT
« on: June 30, 2012, 12:22:07 PM »
Some Hoop of Dreams programme 4 d Beetham. cnc3 have it on now.
63
General Discussion / SIZE DOES NOT MATTER
« on: June 26, 2012, 11:22:33 AM »
PM defends T&T's largest-ever Cabinet
By Ria Taitt Political Editor
Size doesn't matter.
Responding to concerns about the expansion of her Government as a result of last Friday's Cabinet reshuffle, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar said yesterday: "It is all well and good to talk about numbers and size. But what is important is that the focus areas of concern to the population are being addressed by the reconfiguration and composition of the Cabinet."
She defended her decision to increase the number of Cabinet ministers in her Government (to 33), making it the largest Cabinet in this country's history (in addition to seven non-Cabinet ministers), and bigger than the Cabinets of countries such as China (which has 27 members) and the United States (23) with massive populations. She was speaking with reporters shortly after the swearing-in of new ministers at Knowsley building, Queen's Park West, Port of Spain.
Questioned on the cost to the taxpayers of this larger Cabinet, the Prime Minister said: "There are so many issues to deal with. I do believe the composition of the Cabinet as it stands is better poised for greater delivery, greater performance and implementation."
Four new ministries were created —Environment and Water Resources, National Diversity and Social Integration, Science and Technology and Communications and five ministers took the oath of office. The Prime Minister said she did not agree with the view that there was an unnecessary proliferation of portfolios.
"I don't agree that portfolios are created just to have warm bodies there...the new portfolio areas are areas that we need to give more focus to. The Ministry of Science and Technology, it was an area that we put in our manifesto, and spoke a lot about in the (election) campaign...so I wanted to give that greater focus than where it was, as an appendage to Tertiary Education portfolio. Environment and Water Resources, this is an area that we were very strong about in our manifesto and we felt it needed to have stand alone status."
The Prime Minister explained that the vision for this ministry was based on the Singapore model. "It is to put focus on water from the time the rain falls from the sky, hits the ground and runs off, down to the sea. Every drop of water would be tapped or trapped as the case may be. It (the Ministry) would deal not only with the flooding issues but the drainage division as well," she said.
She also sought to explain the rationale behind the establishment of the Ministry of National Diversity and Social Integration.
Persad-Bissessar said this ministry would deal with issues such as patriotism, national heroes, protocols.
"The concept is that as we celebrate our diversity, there must be also unity...it would deal with concerns that arise in a diverse society in which we seek unity" as distinct from the Ministry of Multiculturalism, which picks up expression and artform of culture, she said.
On the establishment of the Ministry of Communications, she said communications has been the Government's weakest area and everyone who has spoken in the retreats state that Government did not seem to have an appropriate communications strategy.
On the concerns expressed about the appointment of Jack Warner as National Security Minister, who resigned from FIFA amidst allegations of corruption, the Prime Minister stated: "Allegations are allegations and will forever be allegations. Should they not have been allegations, somebody would have been in jail".
She said she wished Warner success in dealing with crime because his success was important to all the people of Trinidad and Tobago. She said she lives in hope that he can do the job.
Asked whether former National Security Minister retired Brig John Sandy was given a posting in Geneva, she said Sandy was offered a posting, the details of which were still to be worked out.
The Prime Minister said the target for newly appointed Finance and Economy Minister Larry Howai was to diversify the economy.
She said she took Economy from the Planning Ministry and attached it to the Ministry of Finance because she believed that Government needed to do more to kickstart the economy. She said former Finance Minister Winston Dookeran did well, stabilising the economy.
Mr Howai has a wealth of experience in banking. There is liquidity in the banking system. These are areas I am hoping we can tap into through the experience of Minister Howai, to get our economy kicked off for growth," Persad-Bissessar said.
She added that this was also why she created the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Investments under Vasant Bharath, because it would be an important arena to bring more money and investments into the country.
She said some of the visits abroad would soon start to pay dividends in the form of more investments.
"Chandradath Singh, the High Commissioner to India would be here shortly with some of those investors coming out of India, there are others out of Panama and you need someone to take all of it and co-ordinate it," she said.
Did she ask Howai to join the party? "I did not ask him to join any of the parties," she said, apparently amused by the question.
She said she had not discussed with Labour Minister Errol McLeod whether he had plans to consider becoming an independent, after the party to which he belongs, The Movement for Social Justice, withdrew from the coalition, last Sunday.
Asked to comment on McLeod's statement that he had no political affiliation, the Prime Minister said: "I am not sure what those statements were. I do not recall those statements and he has not brought it to my attention."
By Ria Taitt Political Editor
Size doesn't matter.
Responding to concerns about the expansion of her Government as a result of last Friday's Cabinet reshuffle, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar said yesterday: "It is all well and good to talk about numbers and size. But what is important is that the focus areas of concern to the population are being addressed by the reconfiguration and composition of the Cabinet."
She defended her decision to increase the number of Cabinet ministers in her Government (to 33), making it the largest Cabinet in this country's history (in addition to seven non-Cabinet ministers), and bigger than the Cabinets of countries such as China (which has 27 members) and the United States (23) with massive populations. She was speaking with reporters shortly after the swearing-in of new ministers at Knowsley building, Queen's Park West, Port of Spain.
Questioned on the cost to the taxpayers of this larger Cabinet, the Prime Minister said: "There are so many issues to deal with. I do believe the composition of the Cabinet as it stands is better poised for greater delivery, greater performance and implementation."
Four new ministries were created —Environment and Water Resources, National Diversity and Social Integration, Science and Technology and Communications and five ministers took the oath of office. The Prime Minister said she did not agree with the view that there was an unnecessary proliferation of portfolios.
"I don't agree that portfolios are created just to have warm bodies there...the new portfolio areas are areas that we need to give more focus to. The Ministry of Science and Technology, it was an area that we put in our manifesto, and spoke a lot about in the (election) campaign...so I wanted to give that greater focus than where it was, as an appendage to Tertiary Education portfolio. Environment and Water Resources, this is an area that we were very strong about in our manifesto and we felt it needed to have stand alone status."
The Prime Minister explained that the vision for this ministry was based on the Singapore model. "It is to put focus on water from the time the rain falls from the sky, hits the ground and runs off, down to the sea. Every drop of water would be tapped or trapped as the case may be. It (the Ministry) would deal not only with the flooding issues but the drainage division as well," she said.
She also sought to explain the rationale behind the establishment of the Ministry of National Diversity and Social Integration.
Persad-Bissessar said this ministry would deal with issues such as patriotism, national heroes, protocols.
"The concept is that as we celebrate our diversity, there must be also unity...it would deal with concerns that arise in a diverse society in which we seek unity" as distinct from the Ministry of Multiculturalism, which picks up expression and artform of culture, she said.
On the establishment of the Ministry of Communications, she said communications has been the Government's weakest area and everyone who has spoken in the retreats state that Government did not seem to have an appropriate communications strategy.
On the concerns expressed about the appointment of Jack Warner as National Security Minister, who resigned from FIFA amidst allegations of corruption, the Prime Minister stated: "Allegations are allegations and will forever be allegations. Should they not have been allegations, somebody would have been in jail".
She said she wished Warner success in dealing with crime because his success was important to all the people of Trinidad and Tobago. She said she lives in hope that he can do the job.
Asked whether former National Security Minister retired Brig John Sandy was given a posting in Geneva, she said Sandy was offered a posting, the details of which were still to be worked out.
The Prime Minister said the target for newly appointed Finance and Economy Minister Larry Howai was to diversify the economy.
She said she took Economy from the Planning Ministry and attached it to the Ministry of Finance because she believed that Government needed to do more to kickstart the economy. She said former Finance Minister Winston Dookeran did well, stabilising the economy.
Mr Howai has a wealth of experience in banking. There is liquidity in the banking system. These are areas I am hoping we can tap into through the experience of Minister Howai, to get our economy kicked off for growth," Persad-Bissessar said.
She added that this was also why she created the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Investments under Vasant Bharath, because it would be an important arena to bring more money and investments into the country.
She said some of the visits abroad would soon start to pay dividends in the form of more investments.
"Chandradath Singh, the High Commissioner to India would be here shortly with some of those investors coming out of India, there are others out of Panama and you need someone to take all of it and co-ordinate it," she said.
Did she ask Howai to join the party? "I did not ask him to join any of the parties," she said, apparently amused by the question.
She said she had not discussed with Labour Minister Errol McLeod whether he had plans to consider becoming an independent, after the party to which he belongs, The Movement for Social Justice, withdrew from the coalition, last Sunday.
Asked to comment on McLeod's statement that he had no political affiliation, the Prime Minister said: "I am not sure what those statements were. I do not recall those statements and he has not brought it to my attention."
64
General Discussion / Marlene Coudray daughter missing in Jamaica
« on: June 11, 2012, 07:45:18 AM »
Coudray’s daughter goes missing in Jamaica
Published: Monday, June 11, 2012Radhica Sookraj
The daughter of San Fernando mayor Marlene Coudray has gone missing in Jamaica, just days after leaving T&T to take up a job on that island. Michelle Coudray, a 38-year-old mother of three, left Trinidad on May 31 to take up a teaching position at Cornwall College in Montego Bay, Jamaica.
According to her Facebook blog, she last posted a link to a friend on that day. She has not been seen since early June when it is believed she went out with someone. Friends who passed by Michelle’s apartment in Montego Bay said it is locked up.
Mayor Coudray did not respond to calls last night and when the T&T Guardian visited her Ste Madeleine home, her common-law husband, former labour minister Larry Achong slammed the front door and bolted the latch. He appeared to be shaken and on the brink of tears. The Trinidad and Tobago Embassy in Jamaica issued a bulletin last night about Michelle’s strange disappearance.
Jamaican law enforcement officers were said to be investigating whether she was abducted. Minister of National Security John Sandy and Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr Suruj Rambachan could not be reached for comment last night. Michelle, a former teacher at Holy Faith Convent, Penal, has three young children who are reportedly staying with Mayor Coudray.
Published: Monday, June 11, 2012Radhica Sookraj
The daughter of San Fernando mayor Marlene Coudray has gone missing in Jamaica, just days after leaving T&T to take up a job on that island. Michelle Coudray, a 38-year-old mother of three, left Trinidad on May 31 to take up a teaching position at Cornwall College in Montego Bay, Jamaica.
According to her Facebook blog, she last posted a link to a friend on that day. She has not been seen since early June when it is believed she went out with someone. Friends who passed by Michelle’s apartment in Montego Bay said it is locked up.
Mayor Coudray did not respond to calls last night and when the T&T Guardian visited her Ste Madeleine home, her common-law husband, former labour minister Larry Achong slammed the front door and bolted the latch. He appeared to be shaken and on the brink of tears. The Trinidad and Tobago Embassy in Jamaica issued a bulletin last night about Michelle’s strange disappearance.
Jamaican law enforcement officers were said to be investigating whether she was abducted. Minister of National Security John Sandy and Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr Suruj Rambachan could not be reached for comment last night. Michelle, a former teacher at Holy Faith Convent, Penal, has three young children who are reportedly staying with Mayor Coudray.
65
General Discussion / Dog rescues abandoned newborn
« on: June 08, 2012, 10:50:05 AM »
By Sarah D. Bunting
A farm dog in Ghana has attained hero status after spending a night protecting an abandoned newborn human. Authorities say the dog, along with its two-week-old charge, was found under a bridge in Winkongo (which is near Bolgatanga, the Upper East Regional Capital of Ghana), near the farm where he lives – with the tiny baby snuggled against him.
A search party had been convened to look for the dog, not the baby, when the pooch's worried owner got concerned that her pet hadn't returned home in the evening. Searchers spent most of the night tracking the hound through nearby fields and woods, and came upon the unlikely pair quite some time later; finally locating him under the bridge near the farm he calls home, they were surprised to find the dog curled around a human infant.
Madam Rosemary Azure, Director of Health for the Talensi-Nabdam District, shared the remarkable story with the Ghana News Agency at a ceremony for a different occasion entirely – the launch of two vaccines that will help prevent diarrhea and pneumonia – although it's not impossible that officials will find themselves presiding over a medal presentation to "Hairy Poppins" sometime soon.
The baby himself is in relatively fine fettle after his adventure. His umbilical cord had not been cut, and had gotten infected, but the little one was otherwise unharmed; he's had all his vaccinations, and is currently in the custody of a local health directorate until new, non-bridge arrangements can be made for him. Azure noted that she couldn't say what had led to the baby's desertion by his mother, but speculated that the parents were teenagers, and took the opportunity to caution locals against unprotected sex. Police are investigating.
Any theories on what happened? And are you surprised that a dog took such good care of a human baby? Do your dogs take care of your kids like they're their own offspring? Discuss in the comments!
A farm dog in Ghana has attained hero status after spending a night protecting an abandoned newborn human. Authorities say the dog, along with its two-week-old charge, was found under a bridge in Winkongo (which is near Bolgatanga, the Upper East Regional Capital of Ghana), near the farm where he lives – with the tiny baby snuggled against him.
A search party had been convened to look for the dog, not the baby, when the pooch's worried owner got concerned that her pet hadn't returned home in the evening. Searchers spent most of the night tracking the hound through nearby fields and woods, and came upon the unlikely pair quite some time later; finally locating him under the bridge near the farm he calls home, they were surprised to find the dog curled around a human infant.
Madam Rosemary Azure, Director of Health for the Talensi-Nabdam District, shared the remarkable story with the Ghana News Agency at a ceremony for a different occasion entirely – the launch of two vaccines that will help prevent diarrhea and pneumonia – although it's not impossible that officials will find themselves presiding over a medal presentation to "Hairy Poppins" sometime soon.
The baby himself is in relatively fine fettle after his adventure. His umbilical cord had not been cut, and had gotten infected, but the little one was otherwise unharmed; he's had all his vaccinations, and is currently in the custody of a local health directorate until new, non-bridge arrangements can be made for him. Azure noted that she couldn't say what had led to the baby's desertion by his mother, but speculated that the parents were teenagers, and took the opportunity to caution locals against unprotected sex. Police are investigating.
Any theories on what happened? And are you surprised that a dog took such good care of a human baby? Do your dogs take care of your kids like they're their own offspring? Discuss in the comments!
66
General Discussion / SAY IT AIN'T SO
« on: May 28, 2012, 11:56:28 AM »
T&T bidding to host 2014 regional forum
Story Created: May 28, 2012 at 12:00 AM ECT
(Story Updated: May 28, 2012 at 12:00 AM ECT )
lGEORGETOWN
Trinidad and Tobago is bidding to host the Americas Competitiveness Forum (ACF) in 2014, Planning and Development Minister Dr Bhoendradatt Tewarie has announced.
At the recently held board of governors meeting of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) in Barbados, Tewarie said that Port of Spain is seeking the support of all its Caribbean neighbours in hosting "a unique annual regional forum".
"This forum, which is being hosted in Colombia this year and Panama in 2013, brings together representatives of countries to foster dialogue, exchange experiences and adopt initiatives to strengthen and promote competitiveness in the Americas.
"Indeed at the forum in the Dominican Republic in 2011, the Consensus of Santo Domingo was crafted and several principles were agreed upon to advance the wider region toward becoming more competitive and prosperous," he said.
He told the meeting the principles include the establishment of effective institutions responsible for promoting competitiveness within the private sector; prioritising the development of human capital and the acquisition of new skills and positioning innovation and high impact entrepreneurship as a determining factor for competitiveness.
"We already have a pledge of support from the President of the Inter-American Development Bank," Tewarie added.
Tewarie, in outlining a rationale for the forum, said that the region may be facing serious development challenges, including a limited number and range of products and markets with concentration on natural resources or service-based products, inflexible labour markets and lower levels of productivity and export competitiveness.
"Competitiveness is one of the challenges of the region but it is also a necessary prerequisite for economic growth and development, as one of the main platforms for ensuring long-term job and prosperity growth is through the fundamental improvement in competitiveness.
"This would enable the region to compete successfully in international markets, while improving the living standards of our citizens," he added.
In 2009, Trinidad and Tobago hosted the Summit of the Americas.
Story Created: May 28, 2012 at 12:00 AM ECT
(Story Updated: May 28, 2012 at 12:00 AM ECT )
lGEORGETOWN
Trinidad and Tobago is bidding to host the Americas Competitiveness Forum (ACF) in 2014, Planning and Development Minister Dr Bhoendradatt Tewarie has announced.
At the recently held board of governors meeting of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) in Barbados, Tewarie said that Port of Spain is seeking the support of all its Caribbean neighbours in hosting "a unique annual regional forum".
"This forum, which is being hosted in Colombia this year and Panama in 2013, brings together representatives of countries to foster dialogue, exchange experiences and adopt initiatives to strengthen and promote competitiveness in the Americas.
"Indeed at the forum in the Dominican Republic in 2011, the Consensus of Santo Domingo was crafted and several principles were agreed upon to advance the wider region toward becoming more competitive and prosperous," he said.
He told the meeting the principles include the establishment of effective institutions responsible for promoting competitiveness within the private sector; prioritising the development of human capital and the acquisition of new skills and positioning innovation and high impact entrepreneurship as a determining factor for competitiveness.
"We already have a pledge of support from the President of the Inter-American Development Bank," Tewarie added.
Tewarie, in outlining a rationale for the forum, said that the region may be facing serious development challenges, including a limited number and range of products and markets with concentration on natural resources or service-based products, inflexible labour markets and lower levels of productivity and export competitiveness.
"Competitiveness is one of the challenges of the region but it is also a necessary prerequisite for economic growth and development, as one of the main platforms for ensuring long-term job and prosperity growth is through the fundamental improvement in competitiveness.
"This would enable the region to compete successfully in international markets, while improving the living standards of our citizens," he added.
In 2009, Trinidad and Tobago hosted the Summit of the Americas.
67
General Discussion / Man Admitted to Hospital for Kidney Stone, Discovers He's a Woman
« on: May 25, 2012, 11:47:03 PM »
ABC News
A Colorado man who was admitted to the hospital for a kidney stone received surprising news when the nurse came back with test results revealing he was actually a woman.
Denver photographer Steve Crecelius said he's felt a little different all his life.
"When I was about 6 years old, I started having these feminine feelings, but that was in the '60s. Wearing my mom's makeup, I thought I looked pretty," Crecelius told ABC News.
So when he went to the emergency room five years ago, he wasn't too shocked when the nurse told him she found traits of both genders in his ultrasound results.
He was intersex, meaning he had both male genitalia and internal female sex organs.
"The nurse is reading the ultrasound and says, 'Huh, this says you're a female,' Crecelius said. "It was very liberating. I had spent so much energy after the age of 13 constantly evaluating how people looked at me and acted towards me."
Steve, who now goes by "Stevie," said his wife and their six children accepted his new identity right away.
"We told them individually. Some were in person and some weren't," Crecelius said. "Every one of them said, 'We don't care one way or the other. We love you for who you are and you're still my dad.'"
Crecelius and his wife, Debbie, have been together for 25 years and she's supported him every step of the way, including taking him to buy his first bra.
She told Crecelius, "You know, when I first saw you, I said to myself, 'He runs like a girl.'"
"I think we were pretty good when she began to mourn the loss of her husband," Crecelius said. "We worked through what we needed to. The concept of unconditional love is a larger story."
Intersex is a term used to describe people who bear both external genitals and internal organs, such as testes and ovaries.
A person with the condition may have male genitals along with fallopian tubes and ovaries.
"The condition used to be called hermaphroditism, meaning that person can't be identified as male or female," Crecelius said.
According to the Intersex Society of North America, more than 1,500 children a year are born intersex.
For Crecelius, he hopes he can be an advocate for those born intersex and same-sex couples.
"I think of bullying, because I haven't heard anyone talk about this. It's important to talk about," Crecelius said. "People need to be accepting and understand. I was born this way, and loving each other and supporting each other will always be the main factor in our household.
A Colorado man who was admitted to the hospital for a kidney stone received surprising news when the nurse came back with test results revealing he was actually a woman.
Denver photographer Steve Crecelius said he's felt a little different all his life.
"When I was about 6 years old, I started having these feminine feelings, but that was in the '60s. Wearing my mom's makeup, I thought I looked pretty," Crecelius told ABC News.
So when he went to the emergency room five years ago, he wasn't too shocked when the nurse told him she found traits of both genders in his ultrasound results.
He was intersex, meaning he had both male genitalia and internal female sex organs.
"The nurse is reading the ultrasound and says, 'Huh, this says you're a female,' Crecelius said. "It was very liberating. I had spent so much energy after the age of 13 constantly evaluating how people looked at me and acted towards me."
Steve, who now goes by "Stevie," said his wife and their six children accepted his new identity right away.
"We told them individually. Some were in person and some weren't," Crecelius said. "Every one of them said, 'We don't care one way or the other. We love you for who you are and you're still my dad.'"
Crecelius and his wife, Debbie, have been together for 25 years and she's supported him every step of the way, including taking him to buy his first bra.
She told Crecelius, "You know, when I first saw you, I said to myself, 'He runs like a girl.'"
"I think we were pretty good when she began to mourn the loss of her husband," Crecelius said. "We worked through what we needed to. The concept of unconditional love is a larger story."
Intersex is a term used to describe people who bear both external genitals and internal organs, such as testes and ovaries.
A person with the condition may have male genitals along with fallopian tubes and ovaries.
"The condition used to be called hermaphroditism, meaning that person can't be identified as male or female," Crecelius said.
According to the Intersex Society of North America, more than 1,500 children a year are born intersex.
For Crecelius, he hopes he can be an advocate for those born intersex and same-sex couples.
"I think of bullying, because I haven't heard anyone talk about this. It's important to talk about," Crecelius said. "People need to be accepting and understand. I was born this way, and loving each other and supporting each other will always be the main factor in our household.
68
Jokes / Mother in law
« on: May 07, 2012, 08:54:42 PM »
A boat full of Mother-in-laws was going down the islands and the boat SANK, everyone DIED , ppl cried for a week, A man was still crying afta 2 weeks, wen asked WHY he still crying he said MY MOTHER-IN-LAW MISSED THE BOAT
69
Jokes / Husband banned from Target
« on: April 28, 2012, 07:34:35 PM »
After I retired, my wife insisted that I accompany her on her trips to Target. Unfortunately, like most men, I found shopping boring and preferred to get in and get out. Equally unfortunate, my wife is like most women - she loves to browse.
...
Yesterday my dear wife received the following letter from our local Target.
Dear Mrs. Samsel,
Over the past six months, your husband has caused quite a commotion in our store.. We cannot tolerate this behavior and have been forced to ban both of you from the store. Our complaints against your husband, Mr. Samsel, are listed below and are documented by our video surveillance cameras.
1. June 15: Took 24 boxes of condoms and randomly put them in other people's carts when they weren't looking.
2. July 2: Set all the alarm clocks in House wares to go off at 5-minute intervals.
3. July 7: He made a trail of tomato juice on the floor leading to the women's restroom.
4. July 19: Walked up to an employee and told her in an official voice, 'Code 3 in House wares. Get on it right away'. This caused the employee to leave her assigned station and receive a reprimand from her Supervisor that in turn resulted with a union grievance, causing management to lose time and costing the company money.
5. August 4: Went to the Service Desk and tried to put a bag of M&Ms on layaway.
6. August 14: Moved a 'CAUTION - WET FLOOR' sign to a carpeted area.
7. August 15: Set up a tent in the camping department and told the children shoppers he would invite them in if they would bring pillows and blankets from the bedding department to which twenty children obliged.
8. August 23: When a clerk asked if they could help him he began crying and screamed, 'Why can't you people just leave me alone?' EMTs were called..
9. September 4: Looked right into the security camera and used it as a mirror while he picked his nose.
10. September 10: While handling guns in the hunting department, he asked the clerk where the antidepressants were.
11. October 3: Darted around the store suspiciously while loudly humming the 'Mission Impossible' theme.
12. October 6: In the auto department, he practiced his 'Madonna look' by using different sizes of funnels.
13. October 18: Hid in a clothing rack and when people browsed through, yelled 'PICK ME! PICK ME!'
14. October 21: When an announcement came over the loud speaker, he assumed a fetal position and screamed 'OH NO! IT'S THOSE VOICES AGAIN!'
And last, but not least:
15. October 23: Went into a fitting room, shut the door, waited awhile, and then yelled very loudly, 'Hey! There's no toilet paper in here.' One of the clerks passed out.
...
Yesterday my dear wife received the following letter from our local Target.
Dear Mrs. Samsel,
Over the past six months, your husband has caused quite a commotion in our store.. We cannot tolerate this behavior and have been forced to ban both of you from the store. Our complaints against your husband, Mr. Samsel, are listed below and are documented by our video surveillance cameras.
1. June 15: Took 24 boxes of condoms and randomly put them in other people's carts when they weren't looking.
2. July 2: Set all the alarm clocks in House wares to go off at 5-minute intervals.
3. July 7: He made a trail of tomato juice on the floor leading to the women's restroom.
4. July 19: Walked up to an employee and told her in an official voice, 'Code 3 in House wares. Get on it right away'. This caused the employee to leave her assigned station and receive a reprimand from her Supervisor that in turn resulted with a union grievance, causing management to lose time and costing the company money.
5. August 4: Went to the Service Desk and tried to put a bag of M&Ms on layaway.
6. August 14: Moved a 'CAUTION - WET FLOOR' sign to a carpeted area.
7. August 15: Set up a tent in the camping department and told the children shoppers he would invite them in if they would bring pillows and blankets from the bedding department to which twenty children obliged.
8. August 23: When a clerk asked if they could help him he began crying and screamed, 'Why can't you people just leave me alone?' EMTs were called..
9. September 4: Looked right into the security camera and used it as a mirror while he picked his nose.
10. September 10: While handling guns in the hunting department, he asked the clerk where the antidepressants were.
11. October 3: Darted around the store suspiciously while loudly humming the 'Mission Impossible' theme.
12. October 6: In the auto department, he practiced his 'Madonna look' by using different sizes of funnels.
13. October 18: Hid in a clothing rack and when people browsed through, yelled 'PICK ME! PICK ME!'
14. October 21: When an announcement came over the loud speaker, he assumed a fetal position and screamed 'OH NO! IT'S THOSE VOICES AGAIN!'
And last, but not least:
15. October 23: Went into a fitting room, shut the door, waited awhile, and then yelled very loudly, 'Hey! There's no toilet paper in here.' One of the clerks passed out.
70
Jokes / CHURCH ANNOUNCEMENTS
« on: April 28, 2012, 10:55:44 AM »
Church Ladies With typewriters are at it again!
They're Back! Those wonderful Church Bulletins! Thank God for church ladies with typewriters. These sentences (with all the BLOOMERS) actually appeared in church bulletins or were announced in church services:
The Fasting & Prayer Conference includes meals.
--------------------------
The sermon this morning: 'Jesus Walks on the Water.' The sermon tonight: 'Searching for Jesus.'
--------------------------
Ladies, don't forget the rummage sale. It's a chance to get rid of those things not worth keeping around the house. Bring your husbands.
--------------------------
Remember in prayer the many who are sick of our community. Smile at someone who is hard to love. Say 'Hell' to someone who doesn't care much about you.
--------------------------
Don't let worry kill you off - let the Church help.
--------------------------
Miss Charlene Mason sang 'I will not pass this way again,' giving obvious pleasure to the congregation.
--------------------------
For those of you who have children and don't know it, we have a nursery downstairs.
--------------------------
Next Thursday there will be tryouts for the choir. They need all the help they can get.
--------------------------
Irving Benson and Jessie Carter were married on October 24 in the church. So ends a friendship that began in their school days.
--------------------------
A bean supper will be held on Tuesday evening in the church hall. Music will follow..
--------------------------
At the evening service tonight, the sermon topic will be 'What Is Hell?' Come early and listen to our choir practice.
--------------------------
Eight new choir robes are currently needed due to the addition of several new members and to the deterioration of some older ones.
--------------------------
Scouts are saving aluminum cans, bottles and other items to be recycled. Proceeds will be used to cripple children.
--------------------------
Please place your donation in the envelope along with the deceased person you want remembered..
--------------------------
The church will host an evening of fine dining, super entertainment and gracious hostility.
--------------------------
Potluck supper Sunday at 5:00 PM - prayer and medication to follow.
--------------------------
The ladies of the Church have cast off clothing of every kind. They may be seen in the basement on Friday afternoon.
--------------------------
This evening at 7 PM there will be a hymn singing in the park across from the Church. Bring a blanket and come prepared to sin.
--------------------------
Ladies Bible Study will be held Thursday morning at 10 AM . All ladies are invited to lunch in the Fellowship Hall after the B. S. Is done.
--------------------------
The pastor would appreciate it if the ladies of the Congregation would lend him their electric girdles for the pancake breakfast next Sunday.
--------------------------
Low Self Esteem Support Group will meet Thursday at 7 PM . Please use the back door.
--------------------------
The eighth-graders will be presenting Shakespeare's Hamlet in the Church basement Friday at 7 PM . The congregation is invited to attend this tragedy.
--------------------------
Weight Watchers will meet at 7 PM at the First Presbyterian Church. Please use large double door at the side entrance.
--------------------------
The Associate Minister unveiled the church's new campaign slogan last Sunday: 'I Upped My Pledge - Up Yours.
They're Back! Those wonderful Church Bulletins! Thank God for church ladies with typewriters. These sentences (with all the BLOOMERS) actually appeared in church bulletins or were announced in church services:
The Fasting & Prayer Conference includes meals.
--------------------------
The sermon this morning: 'Jesus Walks on the Water.' The sermon tonight: 'Searching for Jesus.'
--------------------------
Ladies, don't forget the rummage sale. It's a chance to get rid of those things not worth keeping around the house. Bring your husbands.
--------------------------
Remember in prayer the many who are sick of our community. Smile at someone who is hard to love. Say 'Hell' to someone who doesn't care much about you.
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Don't let worry kill you off - let the Church help.
--------------------------
Miss Charlene Mason sang 'I will not pass this way again,' giving obvious pleasure to the congregation.
--------------------------
For those of you who have children and don't know it, we have a nursery downstairs.
--------------------------
Next Thursday there will be tryouts for the choir. They need all the help they can get.
--------------------------
Irving Benson and Jessie Carter were married on October 24 in the church. So ends a friendship that began in their school days.
--------------------------
A bean supper will be held on Tuesday evening in the church hall. Music will follow..
--------------------------
At the evening service tonight, the sermon topic will be 'What Is Hell?' Come early and listen to our choir practice.
--------------------------
Eight new choir robes are currently needed due to the addition of several new members and to the deterioration of some older ones.
--------------------------
Scouts are saving aluminum cans, bottles and other items to be recycled. Proceeds will be used to cripple children.
--------------------------
Please place your donation in the envelope along with the deceased person you want remembered..
--------------------------
The church will host an evening of fine dining, super entertainment and gracious hostility.
--------------------------
Potluck supper Sunday at 5:00 PM - prayer and medication to follow.
--------------------------
The ladies of the Church have cast off clothing of every kind. They may be seen in the basement on Friday afternoon.
--------------------------
This evening at 7 PM there will be a hymn singing in the park across from the Church. Bring a blanket and come prepared to sin.
--------------------------
Ladies Bible Study will be held Thursday morning at 10 AM . All ladies are invited to lunch in the Fellowship Hall after the B. S. Is done.
--------------------------
The pastor would appreciate it if the ladies of the Congregation would lend him their electric girdles for the pancake breakfast next Sunday.
--------------------------
Low Self Esteem Support Group will meet Thursday at 7 PM . Please use the back door.
--------------------------
The eighth-graders will be presenting Shakespeare's Hamlet in the Church basement Friday at 7 PM . The congregation is invited to attend this tragedy.
--------------------------
Weight Watchers will meet at 7 PM at the First Presbyterian Church. Please use large double door at the side entrance.
--------------------------
The Associate Minister unveiled the church's new campaign slogan last Sunday: 'I Upped My Pledge - Up Yours.
71
Jokes / Be careful what u ask 4
« on: April 16, 2012, 10:19:41 AM »
Woman finds Aladdin's magic lamp. she starts rubbing it and a genie
comes out as usual.
as usual the genie grants her a wish....
Woman says: I want my husband to have eyes only for me...... I want to be the only one in his life...
I want him to sleep always by my side... I want that when he gets up
in the morning i'm the first thing he grabs and takes me everywhere he
goes............. The genie then turns her into a blackberry........
comes out as usual.
as usual the genie grants her a wish....
Woman says: I want my husband to have eyes only for me...... I want to be the only one in his life...
I want him to sleep always by my side... I want that when he gets up
in the morning i'm the first thing he grabs and takes me everywhere he
goes............. The genie then turns her into a blackberry........
72
Other Sports / Pregnant shooter will compete in London Olympics
« on: April 14, 2012, 08:22:02 AM »
By Chris Chase
Nur Suryani Mohamed Taibi will be shooting for two at the London Olympics.
The Malaysian shooter will be eight months pregnant when she's scheduled to participate in the 10m air rifle event this summer. Her doctors have given her the tentative OK to compete, as has her husband and Malaysian Olympic officials. Most importantly, Suryani feels she'll be ready.
"My aim is to compete," she told Reuters. "Maybe, at the end of June or whatsoever, if I have some problem that would jeopardize the baby inside me, I will reconsider whether I am going or not. But I feel I am strong and my husband says 'as long as you feel like that, energized to do that, it seems like that is your baby talking to you so you go.'"
Suryani qualified for the Games at the Asian Shooting Championships in January, days after finding out she was pregnant. She recognizes that some people will question her decision to compete -- family members and some in Malaysia already have -- but with the doctor's blessings, Suryani doesn't expect any problems.
"I will talk to the baby before I compete... 'no kicking, stay calm for one hour and 15 minutes only please,'" she said.
The nation's best shooter will make some concessions to her gestational state. She plans on leaving London before the Closing Ceremony since doctors recommend she not fly after 35 weeks. And she won't be competing in the 50m competition, even though she achieved the qualifying marks.
"Yeah, I cannot do a prone position with this big stomach," she said.
Nur Suryani Mohamed Taibi will be shooting for two at the London Olympics.
The Malaysian shooter will be eight months pregnant when she's scheduled to participate in the 10m air rifle event this summer. Her doctors have given her the tentative OK to compete, as has her husband and Malaysian Olympic officials. Most importantly, Suryani feels she'll be ready.
"My aim is to compete," she told Reuters. "Maybe, at the end of June or whatsoever, if I have some problem that would jeopardize the baby inside me, I will reconsider whether I am going or not. But I feel I am strong and my husband says 'as long as you feel like that, energized to do that, it seems like that is your baby talking to you so you go.'"
Suryani qualified for the Games at the Asian Shooting Championships in January, days after finding out she was pregnant. She recognizes that some people will question her decision to compete -- family members and some in Malaysia already have -- but with the doctor's blessings, Suryani doesn't expect any problems.
"I will talk to the baby before I compete... 'no kicking, stay calm for one hour and 15 minutes only please,'" she said.
The nation's best shooter will make some concessions to her gestational state. She plans on leaving London before the Closing Ceremony since doctors recommend she not fly after 35 weeks. And she won't be competing in the 50m competition, even though she achieved the qualifying marks.
"Yeah, I cannot do a prone position with this big stomach," she said.
73
Football / João Havelange
« on: March 19, 2012, 10:37:48 PM »
It is alleged that he is sick and any day now he will her about his demise.
74
General Discussion / Serial 'flasher' caught with pants down
« on: March 14, 2012, 08:10:18 AM »
By Joel Julien joel.julien@trinidadexpress.com
"A SERIOUS threat to society."
This was how Magistrate Avason Quinlan yesterday described 28-year-old Steven Hudlin, who appeared in the Chaguanas Third Magistrates' Court charged with indecent exposure.
Over the past year officers of the Chaguanas Municipal Police Station have received reports about a man seated in a parked Toyota Corolla car who exposes his genitals and masturbates as he calls out to female pedestrians.The officers believe they made a breakthrough in the case on Saturday.
While on mobile patrol PCs Mc Allister, Rambahal, Langley and Baksh received a call that the flasher was parked near the Port of Spain taxi stand located on the Old Southern Main Road in Chaguanas.
Around 6 p.m. the officers found Toyota Corolla PBZ 100 parked with its front driver's side door open. The driver's legs were outside the vehicle, his pants were down and he was masturbating, the court heard yesterday.
Hudlin yesterday appeared before Quinlan and admitted that he has been exposing himself for "a while now" and that "something takes him over when he sees women".
Quinlan warned Hudlin that the "something" he spoke about may one day lead him to rape and described him as "a serious threat to society".
Hudlin was unrepresented when he appeared before Quinlan yesterday.
He is a hardware employee who lives by himself at Chin Chin Road in Cunupia. Hudlin is not known to the police.
Quinlan has ordered Hudlin to undergo mental evaluation at the St Ann's Psychiatric Hospital.
Hudlin is scheduled to reappear at the Chaguanas Magistrates' Court on March 27.
"A SERIOUS threat to society."
This was how Magistrate Avason Quinlan yesterday described 28-year-old Steven Hudlin, who appeared in the Chaguanas Third Magistrates' Court charged with indecent exposure.
Over the past year officers of the Chaguanas Municipal Police Station have received reports about a man seated in a parked Toyota Corolla car who exposes his genitals and masturbates as he calls out to female pedestrians.The officers believe they made a breakthrough in the case on Saturday.
While on mobile patrol PCs Mc Allister, Rambahal, Langley and Baksh received a call that the flasher was parked near the Port of Spain taxi stand located on the Old Southern Main Road in Chaguanas.
Around 6 p.m. the officers found Toyota Corolla PBZ 100 parked with its front driver's side door open. The driver's legs were outside the vehicle, his pants were down and he was masturbating, the court heard yesterday.
Hudlin yesterday appeared before Quinlan and admitted that he has been exposing himself for "a while now" and that "something takes him over when he sees women".
Quinlan warned Hudlin that the "something" he spoke about may one day lead him to rape and described him as "a serious threat to society".
Hudlin was unrepresented when he appeared before Quinlan yesterday.
He is a hardware employee who lives by himself at Chin Chin Road in Cunupia. Hudlin is not known to the police.
Quinlan has ordered Hudlin to undergo mental evaluation at the St Ann's Psychiatric Hospital.
Hudlin is scheduled to reappear at the Chaguanas Magistrates' Court on March 27.
75
General Discussion / Lesbian issue tops agenda - Principals to address matter at next meeting in JA
« on: March 10, 2012, 07:08:47 PM »Nadisha Hunter, Staff Reporter
The growing problem of sexual attacks on young girls by older girls at some schools has attracted the attention of the Jamaica Association of Principals of Secondary Schools (JAPSS).
The issue has also caught the attention of Children's Advocate Diahann Gordon Harrison.
Following a Gleaner report yesterday about the struggles facing the leadership of a prominent Corporate Area all-girls high school in dealing with the problem, president of JAPSS, Sharon Reid, admitted that this was a problem in some schools.
Reid told The Gleaner that the matter would be a major item of discussion at its retreat scheduled for May under the theme 'Facing Challenges of Leadership Together'.
However, Reid said the association would not be focusing only on the problem of sexual harassment.
She said the principals would be looking at challenges to societal norms in general and the problems these present.
Changed culture
"We will be addressing it but in the wider context of challenges we face in a changed culture.
"This is only one tip of the iceberg as we seek to cope with the challenges to societal norms that they (some students) have accepted as acceptable behaviour and the pressures that these young people are getting from a society telling them that there is a paradigm shift now and certain behaviours are OK," she said.
In the meantime, the children's advocate said while the issue has been highlighted in one school, her office has been getting information that it exists in others as well.
She said the issue had been overlooked for too long and it was now time for action.
"We want persons to recognise that the problem exists and we need to engage all the stakeholders and craft a policy to handle these issues in schools because homosexuality is becoming pervasive and there are lots of implications," she argued.
According to Gordon Harrison, there needs to be a public-education campaign to sensitise the offenders about the breaches they are committing.
"If it is that older girls are forcing younger girls to perform sexual acts, then the girls need to be advised that it is a criminal offence, so it is not just them satisfying their sexual desires but it is a breach of the law because girls can now be charged for grievous sexual assaults," she said.
76
Football / TTFF V JACK WARNER
« on: February 17, 2012, 08:35:32 AM »
The TTFF has agreed to sue Jack for the accounts. ( They really did not have any choice) The judge says show me the paperwork by today. The case adjourned to April for the judge to see where d case the TTFF v Jack WARNER.
So enjoy all yuh Carnival we back in court 4 Easter the season of resurrection where according to Hprner Jack will rise again.
So enjoy all yuh Carnival we back in court 4 Easter the season of resurrection where according to Hprner Jack will rise again.
77
General Discussion / Honduras prison fire kills more than 350 inmates: officials
« on: February 15, 2012, 10:17:24 AM »
TEGUCIGALPA (Reuters) - A massive fire swept through an overcrowded prison in Honduras and killed more than 350 inmates, including many trapped screaming inside their cells, officials said on Wednesday.
A senior official at the attorney general's office, Danelia Ferrera, said 357 people died in the blaze that began late on Tuesday night at the prison in Comayagua, about 75 kilometers (45 miles) north of the capital Tegucigalpa.
It was one of the worst prison fires ever in Latin America, and local radio reports said many of the inmates were burned to death inside their cells.
"We heard screaming from the people who caught on fire," one prisoner told reporters, showing the fingers he fractured in his escape from the fire. "We had to push up the roof panels to get out."
Worried and angry relatives surrounded the prison on Wednesday morning with some throwing rocks at police and trying to force their way into the prison. Police responded by firing shots into the air and tear gas at the protesters, who were mostly women.
There was confusion over the death toll, with some reports that the 357 figure included more than 100 inmates who escaped during the fire and others that the dead and missing totaled 402 people - almost half the prison's inmates.
Lucy Marder, head of forensic services in Comayagua, said police reported that one of the dead was a woman who stayed overnight and the rest were prisoners, but she said some of the presumed dead could have escaped. Local media reported that the Comayagua fire department chief also died in the blaze.
Honduras has the highest murder rate in the world, according to the United Nations, and there are frequent riots and clashes between members of rival street gangs in its overcrowded prisons. But it was not yet clear if the fire was started during a riot or if it was accident.
The gangs, known as 'maras', started in the United States and then spread down into Central America, with members covered in distinctive tattoos and involved in drug trafficking, armed robbery and protection rackets.
The Comayagua prison housed more than 850 inmates -- well above its capacity. Local police chief Hector Mejia read out the names of 457 survivors outside the prison, but relatives were not appeased.
"This is desperate, they won't tell us anything and I think my husband is dead," a crying Gregoria Zelaya told Canal 5 TV as she stood by a chain link fence.
Local firemen said they were prevented from entering the prison due to gunshots. But Daniel Orellana, head of the prison system, said there was no riot.
"We have two hypotheses, one is that a prisoner set fire to a mattress and the other one is that there was a short circuit in the electrical system," he said.
Across Honduras, prisons are filled to double their capacity with about 12,500 prisoners in jails meant to hold 6,000. More than 100 prisoners were killed in a fire in the textile manufacturing town of San Pedro Sula several years ago, and survivors said later that guards fired on prisoners trying to escape the blaze.
Honduras clocked more than 80 homicides per 100,000 people in 2009, a rate 16 times that of the United States, according to a United Nations report last year.
The country is a major drug trafficking transit point for South American cocaine moving north to consumers in the United States, and authorities say there is increasing presence of violent Mexican drug cartels in the country.
A political crisis ripped through Honduras in mid-2009 when a widely-condemned coup toppled the democratically elected president but the country has been trying to heal divisions since the election of President Porfirio Lobo later that year.
(Additional reporting by Cyntia Barrera and Mica Rosenberg in Mexico; Editing by Philip Barbara and Kieran Murray)
A senior official at the attorney general's office, Danelia Ferrera, said 357 people died in the blaze that began late on Tuesday night at the prison in Comayagua, about 75 kilometers (45 miles) north of the capital Tegucigalpa.
It was one of the worst prison fires ever in Latin America, and local radio reports said many of the inmates were burned to death inside their cells.
"We heard screaming from the people who caught on fire," one prisoner told reporters, showing the fingers he fractured in his escape from the fire. "We had to push up the roof panels to get out."
Worried and angry relatives surrounded the prison on Wednesday morning with some throwing rocks at police and trying to force their way into the prison. Police responded by firing shots into the air and tear gas at the protesters, who were mostly women.
There was confusion over the death toll, with some reports that the 357 figure included more than 100 inmates who escaped during the fire and others that the dead and missing totaled 402 people - almost half the prison's inmates.
Lucy Marder, head of forensic services in Comayagua, said police reported that one of the dead was a woman who stayed overnight and the rest were prisoners, but she said some of the presumed dead could have escaped. Local media reported that the Comayagua fire department chief also died in the blaze.
Honduras has the highest murder rate in the world, according to the United Nations, and there are frequent riots and clashes between members of rival street gangs in its overcrowded prisons. But it was not yet clear if the fire was started during a riot or if it was accident.
The gangs, known as 'maras', started in the United States and then spread down into Central America, with members covered in distinctive tattoos and involved in drug trafficking, armed robbery and protection rackets.
The Comayagua prison housed more than 850 inmates -- well above its capacity. Local police chief Hector Mejia read out the names of 457 survivors outside the prison, but relatives were not appeased.
"This is desperate, they won't tell us anything and I think my husband is dead," a crying Gregoria Zelaya told Canal 5 TV as she stood by a chain link fence.
Local firemen said they were prevented from entering the prison due to gunshots. But Daniel Orellana, head of the prison system, said there was no riot.
"We have two hypotheses, one is that a prisoner set fire to a mattress and the other one is that there was a short circuit in the electrical system," he said.
Across Honduras, prisons are filled to double their capacity with about 12,500 prisoners in jails meant to hold 6,000. More than 100 prisoners were killed in a fire in the textile manufacturing town of San Pedro Sula several years ago, and survivors said later that guards fired on prisoners trying to escape the blaze.
Honduras clocked more than 80 homicides per 100,000 people in 2009, a rate 16 times that of the United States, according to a United Nations report last year.
The country is a major drug trafficking transit point for South American cocaine moving north to consumers in the United States, and authorities say there is increasing presence of violent Mexican drug cartels in the country.
A political crisis ripped through Honduras in mid-2009 when a widely-condemned coup toppled the democratically elected president but the country has been trying to heal divisions since the election of President Porfirio Lobo later that year.
(Additional reporting by Cyntia Barrera and Mica Rosenberg in Mexico; Editing by Philip Barbara and Kieran Murray)
78
Entertainment & Culture Discussion / DIMACHE GRAS FINALIST
« on: February 13, 2012, 11:30:02 AM »
11 finalists: Brian London, Devon Seales, Dexter ‘Stinger’ Parsons, Hollis ‘Chalkdust’ Liverpool, Duane O’Connor, Heather McIntosh, Kurt Allen, Lesley Ann Ellis, Michael ‘Sugar Aloes’ Osuna, Sandra “Singing Sandra” Des Vignes and Weston “Cro Cro” Rawlins.
79
General Discussion / Trinis win 'Cupcake Wars'
« on: February 08, 2012, 05:59:32 PM »
By Nigel Telesford
Sporting red, black and white garments and beaming smiles, the brother and sister team of Tim and Winnette McIntosh celebrated their victory on popular Food Network programme, Cupcake Wars last Sunday.
The final episode showcasing their victory aired on Sunday. Winning the judges' approval and racing past the first round, the siblings were the only contestants to use all five required ingredients in their cake as they made a fresh ginger five-spice cupcake with red-bean filling, topped with lychee butter-cream frosting and a ginger caramel drizzle. Speaking to the Express from their home in Washington DC, the siblings expressed great pride and joy in their win.
"It's an amazing feeling to have won," said Tim, "because since we opened our store, we've had so many people tell us that we make the best cupcakes in DC and now it's validated and almost like we have the best cakes in the entire USA."
During the second round of the competition, the pair was unable to complete the topping for their three cupcakes and the judges expressed great disappointment since they felt that the flavours were incredible. Judge, Candace Nelsen remarked: "I was in heaven eating this plate."
Although their cupcakes were incomplete, the judges were won over by the taste and sent them on to the third round. Amazingly, Tim explained that their stint on the show almost did not happen because they had applied too late. He said: "One day a blogger came in to do a profile on us, we chatted and then the next day she shot me an email saying that I wasn't the typical baker and I had a personality that would be good for the show. She sent me a casting-call link for Cupcake Wars and my sister and I entered. We got an immediate call back from the casting director saying that the deadline had actually passed, but they liked our profile so much that they would allow us to go on to the next stage of casting."
Determined to represent Trinidad and Tobago to the fullest, the duo said they believed their cosmopolitan upbringing enabled them to create amazing flavour combinations and excel in the competition.
"We definitely went on the show and represented Trinidad well," said Tim, "I think because Trinidad is such a melting pot of cultures and particularly with regard to food as well, we have a unique perspective on flavour combinations. Just as a plethora of different ethnic groups co-exist in Trinidad, we approach our desserts from the stance that multiple flavours can abound and thrive in one plate. Having that perspective definitely helped on the show."
The final episode showed the siblings' Sweet Lobby storefront in Washington DC. During the third and final round of the competition, the McIntoshs decided to showcase 1,000 cupcakes on a Chinese pagoda display with a dragon design to celebrate the Year of the Dragon. The cupcakes were topped with mini paper lanterns, a red fire-breathing dragon and a frosting made to resemble noodles and topped with sesame sticks mimicking chopsticks.
Needless to say, their creative display and superbly flavoured cupcakes stole the show and put yet another Trinidadian flag on winner's row.
Sporting red, black and white garments and beaming smiles, the brother and sister team of Tim and Winnette McIntosh celebrated their victory on popular Food Network programme, Cupcake Wars last Sunday.
The final episode showcasing their victory aired on Sunday. Winning the judges' approval and racing past the first round, the siblings were the only contestants to use all five required ingredients in their cake as they made a fresh ginger five-spice cupcake with red-bean filling, topped with lychee butter-cream frosting and a ginger caramel drizzle. Speaking to the Express from their home in Washington DC, the siblings expressed great pride and joy in their win.
"It's an amazing feeling to have won," said Tim, "because since we opened our store, we've had so many people tell us that we make the best cupcakes in DC and now it's validated and almost like we have the best cakes in the entire USA."
During the second round of the competition, the pair was unable to complete the topping for their three cupcakes and the judges expressed great disappointment since they felt that the flavours were incredible. Judge, Candace Nelsen remarked: "I was in heaven eating this plate."
Although their cupcakes were incomplete, the judges were won over by the taste and sent them on to the third round. Amazingly, Tim explained that their stint on the show almost did not happen because they had applied too late. He said: "One day a blogger came in to do a profile on us, we chatted and then the next day she shot me an email saying that I wasn't the typical baker and I had a personality that would be good for the show. She sent me a casting-call link for Cupcake Wars and my sister and I entered. We got an immediate call back from the casting director saying that the deadline had actually passed, but they liked our profile so much that they would allow us to go on to the next stage of casting."
Determined to represent Trinidad and Tobago to the fullest, the duo said they believed their cosmopolitan upbringing enabled them to create amazing flavour combinations and excel in the competition.
"We definitely went on the show and represented Trinidad well," said Tim, "I think because Trinidad is such a melting pot of cultures and particularly with regard to food as well, we have a unique perspective on flavour combinations. Just as a plethora of different ethnic groups co-exist in Trinidad, we approach our desserts from the stance that multiple flavours can abound and thrive in one plate. Having that perspective definitely helped on the show."
The final episode showed the siblings' Sweet Lobby storefront in Washington DC. During the third and final round of the competition, the McIntoshs decided to showcase 1,000 cupcakes on a Chinese pagoda display with a dragon design to celebrate the Year of the Dragon. The cupcakes were topped with mini paper lanterns, a red fire-breathing dragon and a frosting made to resemble noodles and topped with sesame sticks mimicking chopsticks.
Needless to say, their creative display and superbly flavoured cupcakes stole the show and put yet another Trinidadian flag on winner's row.
80
Trinbago, NBA & World Basketball / Michael Jordan thinks only Kobe Bryant deserves comparisons
« on: January 18, 2012, 09:07:23 AM »
By Eric Freeman | Ball Don't Lie
Ever since Michael Jordan retired — all three times, really — the NBA has searched for the heir to his throne. Many players have popped up as pretenders to the throne, from Harold Miner to Jerry Stackhouse to Vince Carter. In recent years, people have stopped trying to find a clone and just searched for a similarly dominant great player. If you ever wondered why LeBron James is seen as such a failure, a lot of it has to do with his inability to meet the example set by Jordan.
There are many great players in the NBA these days, most of whom have never been directly compared to Jordan. Nevertheless, His Airness says only one player comes close enough to his greatness to merit the comparison. Not surprisingly, that player is Kobe Bryant. Here's what Roland Lazenby, a great writer currently working on a Jordan book, tweeted on Sunday (via PBT):
Kobe's ultimate competition is MJ. That's why MJ watches him. MJ made people think what he was doing wasn't human. Ditto the Kobester.
I never said Kobe was better than MJ. MJ just told me Kobe's the only one to have done the work, to deserve comparison.
Congratulations, Kobe: Your life's work has meant something. All that time spent aping Jordan's movements and skills has paid off. He acknowledged you. You made it.
Of course, if the notoriously petty Jordan was going to mention anyone, it makes that he'd single out Kobe, and not just because he'd consider the mimicry flattering. Bryant really does work harder than everyone else, and he's been good for long enough (with no signs of slowing down) that he may eventually top Jordan's longevity. They're similarly insane competitors.
The "Next Jordan" idea was always a silly one, but Bryant is certainly the player most like Jordan in all aspects of his game — even if he eventually becomes something less than the greatest player of the post-MJ era, which I'm sure many of you will argue in the comments. That's an accomplishment in itself. Even coming close to the top means something.
Ever since Michael Jordan retired — all three times, really — the NBA has searched for the heir to his throne. Many players have popped up as pretenders to the throne, from Harold Miner to Jerry Stackhouse to Vince Carter. In recent years, people have stopped trying to find a clone and just searched for a similarly dominant great player. If you ever wondered why LeBron James is seen as such a failure, a lot of it has to do with his inability to meet the example set by Jordan.
There are many great players in the NBA these days, most of whom have never been directly compared to Jordan. Nevertheless, His Airness says only one player comes close enough to his greatness to merit the comparison. Not surprisingly, that player is Kobe Bryant. Here's what Roland Lazenby, a great writer currently working on a Jordan book, tweeted on Sunday (via PBT):
Kobe's ultimate competition is MJ. That's why MJ watches him. MJ made people think what he was doing wasn't human. Ditto the Kobester.
I never said Kobe was better than MJ. MJ just told me Kobe's the only one to have done the work, to deserve comparison.
Congratulations, Kobe: Your life's work has meant something. All that time spent aping Jordan's movements and skills has paid off. He acknowledged you. You made it.
Of course, if the notoriously petty Jordan was going to mention anyone, it makes that he'd single out Kobe, and not just because he'd consider the mimicry flattering. Bryant really does work harder than everyone else, and he's been good for long enough (with no signs of slowing down) that he may eventually top Jordan's longevity. They're similarly insane competitors.
The "Next Jordan" idea was always a silly one, but Bryant is certainly the player most like Jordan in all aspects of his game — even if he eventually becomes something less than the greatest player of the post-MJ era, which I'm sure many of you will argue in the comments. That's an accomplishment in itself. Even coming close to the top means something.
81
General Discussion / Conjugal rights for prisoners
« on: January 13, 2012, 08:00:55 AM »
Cabinet approves new prisons’ rulesPublished: Friday, January 13, 2012Richard LordTweetCabinet approves new prisons’ rules
Richard Lord
Published: Friday, January 13, 2012.
Cabinet yesterday approved new prison rules to allow for the granting of conjugal rights to certain prisoners. This was revealed by Justice Minister Herbert Volney during yesterday’s post-Cabinet news conference at the Office of the Prime Minister, St Clair. He stressed the new policy provided for “a detailed system of communication and visits, which will allow prisoners to communicate with their family, friends and attorneys, including the use of telephone and video visits as well as conjugal and private family visits for convicted criminals who meet eligibility criteria.” Volney also said the new rules would address certain “anachronistic and archaic” measures which were introduced more than 120 years ago (1888). He said the new measures provided for the management of prisons, including the treatment of prisoners and the conduct and functions of prison officers. He said the policy would be contained in the Prisons Amendment Bill 2012 and the Prison Rules 2012, which would debated in Parliament shortly. He said the legislation would form part of the Government’s move to implement positive and preventative measures in the prisons system. Volney said the measures would take T&T’s penal system closer to one of restorative justice, as opposed to one of retribution.
He said the new rules would provide for:
• The custody of all inmates to be under human dignity;
• a proper system of classification and supervision levels for all prisoners;
• the requirements of clothing, food and sleeping accommodation to conform to United Nations standards, where possible;
• the provision of adequate medical services that will cater to prisoners with special needs and conditions; and
• the procedures to be adopted for the compulsory testing of HIV and AIDS.
He said inmates who have acquired or entered the system with “these challenges can be treated in a humane way.” Volney said the new legislation also would provide for a system of privileges to be afforded for the different classes of prisoners. He said a points system also would be implemented “for prisoners to earn remission or part of remission of their sentences.” He said the new legislation provided for changes to mandatory drug-testing, searches and restraints for prisoners. Without giving details, Volney said there would be penalties for any breach of the rules. He said the new legislation provided for “early” release of prisoners who co-operated. “They won’t be locked up as is the case now and made to serve two-thirds of their sentence without any chance of earlier release,” he said. Volney said the issue of over-crowding in the nation’s prisons would be effectively addressed when those measures and others were implemented. He said the Government also had approved the parole policy, which would be introduced in due course. He hoped the measure could be implemented by the end of the year. He said if the prisoners who had good behaviour and good manners could be released earlier and would reduce the over-crowding problem in the prisons. Meanwhile, Legal Affairs Minister Prakash Ramadhar said the facility in Arima, which was opened during the state of emergency last year, would remain despite the expiration of the emergency last December. He said the resources should not be wasted and they would continue to be used as a regular correctional facility.
Richard Lord
Published: Friday, January 13, 2012.
Cabinet yesterday approved new prison rules to allow for the granting of conjugal rights to certain prisoners. This was revealed by Justice Minister Herbert Volney during yesterday’s post-Cabinet news conference at the Office of the Prime Minister, St Clair. He stressed the new policy provided for “a detailed system of communication and visits, which will allow prisoners to communicate with their family, friends and attorneys, including the use of telephone and video visits as well as conjugal and private family visits for convicted criminals who meet eligibility criteria.” Volney also said the new rules would address certain “anachronistic and archaic” measures which were introduced more than 120 years ago (1888). He said the new measures provided for the management of prisons, including the treatment of prisoners and the conduct and functions of prison officers. He said the policy would be contained in the Prisons Amendment Bill 2012 and the Prison Rules 2012, which would debated in Parliament shortly. He said the legislation would form part of the Government’s move to implement positive and preventative measures in the prisons system. Volney said the measures would take T&T’s penal system closer to one of restorative justice, as opposed to one of retribution.
He said the new rules would provide for:
• The custody of all inmates to be under human dignity;
• a proper system of classification and supervision levels for all prisoners;
• the requirements of clothing, food and sleeping accommodation to conform to United Nations standards, where possible;
• the provision of adequate medical services that will cater to prisoners with special needs and conditions; and
• the procedures to be adopted for the compulsory testing of HIV and AIDS.
He said inmates who have acquired or entered the system with “these challenges can be treated in a humane way.” Volney said the new legislation also would provide for a system of privileges to be afforded for the different classes of prisoners. He said a points system also would be implemented “for prisoners to earn remission or part of remission of their sentences.” He said the new legislation provided for changes to mandatory drug-testing, searches and restraints for prisoners. Without giving details, Volney said there would be penalties for any breach of the rules. He said the new legislation provided for “early” release of prisoners who co-operated. “They won’t be locked up as is the case now and made to serve two-thirds of their sentence without any chance of earlier release,” he said. Volney said the issue of over-crowding in the nation’s prisons would be effectively addressed when those measures and others were implemented. He said the Government also had approved the parole policy, which would be introduced in due course. He hoped the measure could be implemented by the end of the year. He said if the prisoners who had good behaviour and good manners could be released earlier and would reduce the over-crowding problem in the prisons. Meanwhile, Legal Affairs Minister Prakash Ramadhar said the facility in Arima, which was opened during the state of emergency last year, would remain despite the expiration of the emergency last December. He said the resources should not be wasted and they would continue to be used as a regular correctional facility.
82
General Discussion / Report: NYC school employee faked daughter's death
« on: January 10, 2012, 12:49:33 PM »
..NEW YORK (AP) — A New York City school employee has lost her job over accusations she faked her daughter's death so she could take a vacation to Costa Rica.
The Daily News (http://nydn.us/wt3u0K) says a school official became suspicious of the forged death certificate. A special investigator's report says it had different fonts that were misaligned.
Court records show Joan Barnett pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor in the case this fall. She was fired from her job as a parent coordinator at the Manhattan High School of Hospitality Management.
She allegedly told school officials her daughter died in Costa Rica so she could spend 2½ weeks there in March 2010.
A Costa Rican government official later confirmed the document was a fake, noting it dated from 2005.
Barnett's lawyer declined to comment.
The Daily News (http://nydn.us/wt3u0K) says a school official became suspicious of the forged death certificate. A special investigator's report says it had different fonts that were misaligned.
Court records show Joan Barnett pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor in the case this fall. She was fired from her job as a parent coordinator at the Manhattan High School of Hospitality Management.
She allegedly told school officials her daughter died in Costa Rica so she could spend 2½ weeks there in March 2010.
A Costa Rican government official later confirmed the document was a fake, noting it dated from 2005.
Barnett's lawyer declined to comment.
83
General Discussion / Woman Claims Hotel Gave Drunken Man Her Room Key
« on: January 10, 2012, 12:40:15 PM »
By CANDACE SMITH | Good Morning America
A New York business woman is suing Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide, claiming staff at one of their hotels gave her room key to a drunken man who allegedly sexually assaulted her in her bed.
Alison Fournier announced the suit today at a news conference with women's rights lawyer Gloria Allred.
According to the suit, Fournier was in her locked room in Hotel Kämp, a hotel operated by Starwood Hotels in Helsinki, Finland, on the night of Jan. 15, 2011 when she was sexually assaulted.
The man, who was "visibly intoxicated," had undressed, slipped into her bed, and proceeded to grope her naked body, the suit says.
Fournier, who is represented by Allred and the New York firm Cuti Hecker Wang LLP, is suing the company for negligence and negligent infliction of emotional distress for an amount to be determined at trial.
Fournier was traveling to Helinski for work and said that she specifically chose a Starwood hotel because of the company's reputation.
"Starwood is the go-to brand for business travelers and I expected a certain level of security from their hotels," Fournier said in a statement.
But instead of security, Fournier said she found susceptibility.
According to a release that Allred sent out, a man approached Fournier the night of the incident, expressing a sexual interest in her. According to Allred, Fournier had made it very clear that she was not interested in him and retreated to her room to get away.
That same man, according to the suit, later went to the front desk, said that he was Fournier's husband, and obtained a key from hotel staff to her room.
The staff did not ask him for any identification or proof that he was in fact Fournier's husband, according to the lawsuit. He then proceeded to her room and tried to molest her. She awoke, grabbed a housecoat, and ran screaming from the room.
"To this day, I still suffer from the memories of that night and I am still not able to put it behind me," Fournier said.
She said that, because of the incident, she left her career and moved from New York to be closer to her family.
The suit alleges that there is no indication that Starwood has taken any action to investigate the incident at Hotel Kämp or to disassociate itself from the Finnish hotel.
In a statement given to ABC News by Starwoods Hotels and Resorts, Worldwide, the company said it is investigating the incident.
"The safety and security of our guests is our first and foremost priority. It is company-wide policy to ensure proper identification is shown and verified before distributing a key to a registered guest's room," the statement said. "We are taking this allegation seriously and are working with the hotel in question to understand the facts and any breach of security that may have contributed to this very unfortunate event. "
Allred said the case is representative of a bigger problem than a personal assault, because women, particularly businesswoman, have a right to feel safe when traveling and staying at well known hotels.
"Business women have a right to safety and security and especially need that safety and security when traveling abroad," Allred told ABC News. "They are particualrly vulnerable when traveling alone. Starwood's negligence, misconduct and reckless disregard for the safety of Ms. Fournier has led to devastating and life changing consequences for her. ... They need to be fully accountable and make sure that this never happens again."
A New York business woman is suing Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide, claiming staff at one of their hotels gave her room key to a drunken man who allegedly sexually assaulted her in her bed.
Alison Fournier announced the suit today at a news conference with women's rights lawyer Gloria Allred.
According to the suit, Fournier was in her locked room in Hotel Kämp, a hotel operated by Starwood Hotels in Helsinki, Finland, on the night of Jan. 15, 2011 when she was sexually assaulted.
The man, who was "visibly intoxicated," had undressed, slipped into her bed, and proceeded to grope her naked body, the suit says.
Fournier, who is represented by Allred and the New York firm Cuti Hecker Wang LLP, is suing the company for negligence and negligent infliction of emotional distress for an amount to be determined at trial.
Fournier was traveling to Helinski for work and said that she specifically chose a Starwood hotel because of the company's reputation.
"Starwood is the go-to brand for business travelers and I expected a certain level of security from their hotels," Fournier said in a statement.
But instead of security, Fournier said she found susceptibility.
According to a release that Allred sent out, a man approached Fournier the night of the incident, expressing a sexual interest in her. According to Allred, Fournier had made it very clear that she was not interested in him and retreated to her room to get away.
That same man, according to the suit, later went to the front desk, said that he was Fournier's husband, and obtained a key from hotel staff to her room.
The staff did not ask him for any identification or proof that he was in fact Fournier's husband, according to the lawsuit. He then proceeded to her room and tried to molest her. She awoke, grabbed a housecoat, and ran screaming from the room.
"To this day, I still suffer from the memories of that night and I am still not able to put it behind me," Fournier said.
She said that, because of the incident, she left her career and moved from New York to be closer to her family.
The suit alleges that there is no indication that Starwood has taken any action to investigate the incident at Hotel Kämp or to disassociate itself from the Finnish hotel.
In a statement given to ABC News by Starwoods Hotels and Resorts, Worldwide, the company said it is investigating the incident.
"The safety and security of our guests is our first and foremost priority. It is company-wide policy to ensure proper identification is shown and verified before distributing a key to a registered guest's room," the statement said. "We are taking this allegation seriously and are working with the hotel in question to understand the facts and any breach of security that may have contributed to this very unfortunate event. "
Allred said the case is representative of a bigger problem than a personal assault, because women, particularly businesswoman, have a right to feel safe when traveling and staying at well known hotels.
"Business women have a right to safety and security and especially need that safety and security when traveling abroad," Allred told ABC News. "They are particualrly vulnerable when traveling alone. Starwood's negligence, misconduct and reckless disregard for the safety of Ms. Fournier has led to devastating and life changing consequences for her. ... They need to be fully accountable and make sure that this never happens again."
84
General Discussion / Lawsuit filed to remove black Jamaican’s body from Jewish cemetery
« on: January 09, 2012, 09:46:07 AM »
CONNECTICUT, USA (AP) — Juliet Steer was dying of cancer when she chose her final resting place in the woods of southeastern Connecticut. She picked the plot in an interfaith section of a Jewish cemetery in Colchester because it was peaceful, her brother said, and she died at age 47 in 2010.
But that peace has been broken by a lawsuit seeking to have her remains exhumed and moved because Steer was not Jewish. The dispute over Steer, who was black, escalated recently with allegations of racism against the plaintiff and of retaliation against her by fellow congregation members.
Maria Balaban, a 72-year-old white member of the Congregation Ahavath Achim, sued in state court in New London nearly a year ago, alleging the congregation broke its own rule against burials of non-Jews at its three cemetery properties when it allowed the burial of the Jamaican-born Steer, who lived in the neighbouring town of East Hampton. The synagogue says its rules allow for burial of non-Jews.
Balaban, who is also a member of the conservative congregation's board of directors, has reserved plots at the same cemetery for herself and her husband, and they have relatives buried there. She didn't return several messages seeking comment, but her lawyer denies the accusations and says her background, which includes employment as a social worker, demonstrates she is not racist.
According to the congregation board's meeting minutes, Balaban was present when the board in 2009 unanimously approved setting aside a section of the Colchester Jewish Aid Congregation Cemetery for interfaith couples, their non-Jewish children and other non-Jews.
Steer is the only person buried there. Four white people have reserved plots in the interfaith section, but Balaban isn't challenging their purchase or usage of the plots, according to lawyers for both the plaintiff and defendant. The four people include an interfaith couple who are married and another couple who are not.
The congregation's lawyer, George Purtill, filed a court document last month alleging that Balaban is suing only because Steer was black. He said Balaban approved of the interfaith cemetery allowing non-Jews, contested it only after Steer was buried there and has made derogatory comments about Steer's race — among them that Steer should have been buried in the back of the cemetery, away from the Balaban family plots.
"My client is very upset by this all," Purtill said. "They created the (interfaith cemetery) to be open, compassionate and caring and feel chagrined that their goodwill towards others is being rewarded with this costly litigation."
Purtill said the interfaith cemetery was the result of the changing structure of families and the increase in interfaith and other types of relationships, including unmarried couples and civil unions. Congregation rules say burial plots in the interfaith section can be bought "by an individual for any individual without regard to religious identity”.
Balaban's attorney, Martin Rutchik, denies that his client is racist and that she made disparaging remarks about Steer's race. Shortly after Purtill filed the document making the racism allegations last month, Rutchik filed an updated lawsuit to add a request for damages for emotional distress, claiming that the congregation has shunned Balaban and members have been "harsh" to her and made her feel unwanted.
A court hearing is planned for February 29.
But that peace has been broken by a lawsuit seeking to have her remains exhumed and moved because Steer was not Jewish. The dispute over Steer, who was black, escalated recently with allegations of racism against the plaintiff and of retaliation against her by fellow congregation members.
Maria Balaban, a 72-year-old white member of the Congregation Ahavath Achim, sued in state court in New London nearly a year ago, alleging the congregation broke its own rule against burials of non-Jews at its three cemetery properties when it allowed the burial of the Jamaican-born Steer, who lived in the neighbouring town of East Hampton. The synagogue says its rules allow for burial of non-Jews.
Balaban, who is also a member of the conservative congregation's board of directors, has reserved plots at the same cemetery for herself and her husband, and they have relatives buried there. She didn't return several messages seeking comment, but her lawyer denies the accusations and says her background, which includes employment as a social worker, demonstrates she is not racist.
According to the congregation board's meeting minutes, Balaban was present when the board in 2009 unanimously approved setting aside a section of the Colchester Jewish Aid Congregation Cemetery for interfaith couples, their non-Jewish children and other non-Jews.
Steer is the only person buried there. Four white people have reserved plots in the interfaith section, but Balaban isn't challenging their purchase or usage of the plots, according to lawyers for both the plaintiff and defendant. The four people include an interfaith couple who are married and another couple who are not.
The congregation's lawyer, George Purtill, filed a court document last month alleging that Balaban is suing only because Steer was black. He said Balaban approved of the interfaith cemetery allowing non-Jews, contested it only after Steer was buried there and has made derogatory comments about Steer's race — among them that Steer should have been buried in the back of the cemetery, away from the Balaban family plots.
"My client is very upset by this all," Purtill said. "They created the (interfaith cemetery) to be open, compassionate and caring and feel chagrined that their goodwill towards others is being rewarded with this costly litigation."
Purtill said the interfaith cemetery was the result of the changing structure of families and the increase in interfaith and other types of relationships, including unmarried couples and civil unions. Congregation rules say burial plots in the interfaith section can be bought "by an individual for any individual without regard to religious identity”.
Balaban's attorney, Martin Rutchik, denies that his client is racist and that she made disparaging remarks about Steer's race. Shortly after Purtill filed the document making the racism allegations last month, Rutchik filed an updated lawsuit to add a request for damages for emotional distress, claiming that the congregation has shunned Balaban and members have been "harsh" to her and made her feel unwanted.
A court hearing is planned for February 29.
85
Football / Harford: TTFF don't know where football $$ is.
« on: January 08, 2012, 10:14:40 PM »
NOT A CLUE!
Harford: TTFF don't know where football $$ is
By Kern De Freitas (Express).
The Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation (TTFF) has no idea what happened to its corporate sponsorship funds from World Cup 2006.
Anthony Harford, marketing director at All Sport Promotions—the company responsible for managing TTFF marketing and events—yesterday reiterated his previous statement that the Federation's bank account, audited by international company KPMG, is up to mark.
But there are other accounts, LOC 2006—related to T&T's 2006 World Cup campaign—and LOC 2010, both of which were controlled by Jack Warner, former TTFF special adviser and LOC (Local Organising Committee) 2006 and LOC 2010 chairman.
"That is the account in question. The truth is that the TTFF do not know," Harford explained last week.
"That is what is holding up and tarnishing the relationship (between the Federation and the players) and the issues.
"The TTFF accounts I know about are perfectly in order. The parallel accounts, the LOC accounts are the ones in question. Therefore the TTFF find themselves in an embarrassing position.
Harford has found himself in the firing line, being pressed with questions about the TTFF accounts.
In fact, former T&T goalkeeper Kelvin Jack, one of the 13 players which took successful legal action against the TTFF and ex-president Oliver Camps over non-payment of promised bonuses from the 2006 World Cup, questioned Harford's recent statements about the TTFF's financial books.
"What Tony Harford should be asking is what Oliver Camps did with the cheque of 14 million, a cheque issued by the Ministry (of Sport) 1st May 2006, payable to TTFF, which was signed and received," Jack (Kelvin) told the Express. "It was not deposited to any back account that KPMG has access to."
He continued: "This is all facts… why is (Harford) trying to make the population and football fans believe that the organisation is accountable and being honest and their books are fine, when the honourable judge in our case described the accounts as unaccountable." It is extremely disappointing to come from somebody like him."
However, Harford made it clear that his responsibilities lie in managing financial affairs involving TTFF teams and events, effective August 2011, and not in affairs that took place before he took over.
The veteran broadcaster and sports promoter added that to date, all TTFF spending for that period has been accounted for.
Harford has also called on the TTFF to clear the air on the matter if they hope to improve T&T football going forward.
"My recommendation is that we go and come out straight and say 'listen we can't account for this, we surrendered complete authority to our special adviser. Now that he is departed we are left to this thing and we can't account for it'".
Harford: TTFF don't know where football $$ is
By Kern De Freitas (Express).
The Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation (TTFF) has no idea what happened to its corporate sponsorship funds from World Cup 2006.
Anthony Harford, marketing director at All Sport Promotions—the company responsible for managing TTFF marketing and events—yesterday reiterated his previous statement that the Federation's bank account, audited by international company KPMG, is up to mark.
But there are other accounts, LOC 2006—related to T&T's 2006 World Cup campaign—and LOC 2010, both of which were controlled by Jack Warner, former TTFF special adviser and LOC (Local Organising Committee) 2006 and LOC 2010 chairman.
"That is the account in question. The truth is that the TTFF do not know," Harford explained last week.
"That is what is holding up and tarnishing the relationship (between the Federation and the players) and the issues.
"The TTFF accounts I know about are perfectly in order. The parallel accounts, the LOC accounts are the ones in question. Therefore the TTFF find themselves in an embarrassing position.
Harford has found himself in the firing line, being pressed with questions about the TTFF accounts.
In fact, former T&T goalkeeper Kelvin Jack, one of the 13 players which took successful legal action against the TTFF and ex-president Oliver Camps over non-payment of promised bonuses from the 2006 World Cup, questioned Harford's recent statements about the TTFF's financial books.
"What Tony Harford should be asking is what Oliver Camps did with the cheque of 14 million, a cheque issued by the Ministry (of Sport) 1st May 2006, payable to TTFF, which was signed and received," Jack (Kelvin) told the Express. "It was not deposited to any back account that KPMG has access to."
He continued: "This is all facts… why is (Harford) trying to make the population and football fans believe that the organisation is accountable and being honest and their books are fine, when the honourable judge in our case described the accounts as unaccountable." It is extremely disappointing to come from somebody like him."
However, Harford made it clear that his responsibilities lie in managing financial affairs involving TTFF teams and events, effective August 2011, and not in affairs that took place before he took over.
The veteran broadcaster and sports promoter added that to date, all TTFF spending for that period has been accounted for.
Harford has also called on the TTFF to clear the air on the matter if they hope to improve T&T football going forward.
"My recommendation is that we go and come out straight and say 'listen we can't account for this, we surrendered complete authority to our special adviser. Now that he is departed we are left to this thing and we can't account for it'".
86
General Discussion / Missing Dallas teen accidentally deported to Colombia
« on: January 05, 2012, 05:47:51 PM »
By Eric Pfeiffer
A Dallas teen missing for more than a year has been found living in Colombia.
Lorene Turner tells WFAA that her granddaughter Jakadrien Turner ran away from home in the fall of 2010 when she was just 14. Jakadrien made her way to Houston, where she was arrested by police.
That's when things took a turn toward the Kafka-esque. Jakadrien gave the police a false name and her new alias just happened to match up with the name of a 22-year-old Colombian citizen who had been in the United States illegally. And to compound Turner's plight further, the Colombian national had a warrant out for her arrest.
The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) then deported Jakadrien in April 2011.
"They didn't do their work," Lorene Turner said. "How do you deport a teenager and send her to Colombia without a passport, without anything?"
Turner said she'd been looking on her computer every night for clues to her granddaughter's location, and has been cooperating with Dallas police as she carries out her search. It turns out that after Jakadrien was deported, she was given a work card in Colombia and released onto the streets.
"She talked about how they had her working in this big house cleaning all day, and how tired she was," Turner said.
Jakadrien is now being held in a Colombia detention facility while awaiting more information on her case.
"ICE takes these allegations very seriously," said ICE Director of Public Affairs Brian Hale. " At the direction of [the Department of Homeland Security], ICE is fully and immediately investigating this matter in order to expeditiously determine the facts of this case."
A Dallas teen missing for more than a year has been found living in Colombia.
Lorene Turner tells WFAA that her granddaughter Jakadrien Turner ran away from home in the fall of 2010 when she was just 14. Jakadrien made her way to Houston, where she was arrested by police.
That's when things took a turn toward the Kafka-esque. Jakadrien gave the police a false name and her new alias just happened to match up with the name of a 22-year-old Colombian citizen who had been in the United States illegally. And to compound Turner's plight further, the Colombian national had a warrant out for her arrest.
The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) then deported Jakadrien in April 2011.
"They didn't do their work," Lorene Turner said. "How do you deport a teenager and send her to Colombia without a passport, without anything?"
Turner said she'd been looking on her computer every night for clues to her granddaughter's location, and has been cooperating with Dallas police as she carries out her search. It turns out that after Jakadrien was deported, she was given a work card in Colombia and released onto the streets.
"She talked about how they had her working in this big house cleaning all day, and how tired she was," Turner said.
Jakadrien is now being held in a Colombia detention facility while awaiting more information on her case.
"ICE takes these allegations very seriously," said ICE Director of Public Affairs Brian Hale. " At the direction of [the Department of Homeland Security], ICE is fully and immediately investigating this matter in order to expeditiously determine the facts of this case."
87
Jokes / POOR GRANDMA
« on: December 29, 2011, 11:50:56 AM »
A young girl about to go on a first date with her boyfriend was tutored by her grandma. Grandma tells her "he will try to kiss you, allow him. He will try to cuddle you, allow him. He will try to lay you down and get on top of you, don't allow him". The girl asked, "grandma, why?" Grandma said " because if you do, you have allowed him to disgrace you and all your family". Girl said "ok" and left on her date. Several hours later she returned and grandma asked "how did it go?" Girl said "exactly as you said except when he laid me down and tried to disgrace our family, I turned him over, got on top of him and disgraced his family instead". Grandma fainted..
88
General Discussion / Jimmy Hoffa
« on: December 28, 2011, 06:03:55 PM »
Detroit (CNN) - Jimmy Hoffa's former driver-turned-police informant Marvin Elkind claims Hoffa is still in Detroit, buried underneath General Motors' headquarters.
Elkind co-wrote the book "The Weasel: A Double Life in the Mob".
In it, he claims he learned where Hoffa was buried during a Teamsters conference in Detroit in 1985.
Hoffa rose to fame as the Teamsters leader, but was booted from power after being convicted of jury tampering, conspiracy and mail and wire fraud.
Hoffa disappeared in 1975 while reportedly on his way to meet two mafia figures.
He was declared legally dead in 1982, but his body has never been found.
CNN
Elkind co-wrote the book "The Weasel: A Double Life in the Mob".
In it, he claims he learned where Hoffa was buried during a Teamsters conference in Detroit in 1985.
Hoffa rose to fame as the Teamsters leader, but was booted from power after being convicted of jury tampering, conspiracy and mail and wire fraud.
Hoffa disappeared in 1975 while reportedly on his way to meet two mafia figures.
He was declared legally dead in 1982, but his body has never been found.
CNN
89
General Discussion / Toronto man dies after alleged police beating in Grenada
« on: December 28, 2011, 01:28:45 PM »
The Associated Press
Grenada's Prime Minister Tillman Thomas is calling for an investigation into the death of a Toronto man who was allegedly beaten by police.
The prime minister is seeking details about the death on Tuesday of 39-year-old Oscar Bartholomew, a spokesman said.
Bartholomew, who was originally from Grenada, had returned to the Caribbean island to celebrate the Christmas holidays with family and friends.
According to media reports, Bartholomew had hugged a female police officer whom he mistook for an old friend.
Oscar Bartholomew died after allegedly being beaten by police in Grenada. (Courtesy Grenada Broadcast)Bartholomew "hugged and lifted her off the ground before recognizing that it was a case of mistaken identity. His actions were viewed as assault on a police officer," Grenada Broadcast reported on its website.
"He was then apprehended and beaten by police, before succumbing to his injuries at the General Hospital," the media outlet reported.
A spokesperson for the Royal Grenada Police Force said the incident happened on Monday at about 2 p.m. local time and that the force is investigating.
Another police officer suggested Bartholomew may have been resisting arrest.
"It is very unfortunate and senior officers have actually visited the relatives and the next of kin of the deceased to officially inform them of the unfortunate incident. We have also extended our deepest condolences on the behalf of the commissioner and the force. So it is not something that we feel happy about," Supt. Dunbar Belson told CBC News.
Police have declined any further comment and said they would issue a statement later.
George Grant of Grenada Broadcast told CBC News on Wednesday that there have been several allegations cases of police brutality against the RGPF in the past few years.
At least three cases of police brutality were reported in 2011.
Grant said police launch investigations into the charges, but never reveal the outcomes.
Bartholomew was living in Toronto and married to a Canadian.
According to his family, he and his wife were in Grenada to visit relatives over Christmas.
A spokesman for the Canadian High Commission said a statement was expected to be released soon.
In Ottawa, a Foreign Affairs spokesperson said the department is “aware of reports of the death of a permanent resident of Canada in Grenada. Our thoughts and condolences are with those affected by this tragedy.”
Grenada's Prime Minister Tillman Thomas is calling for an investigation into the death of a Toronto man who was allegedly beaten by police.
The prime minister is seeking details about the death on Tuesday of 39-year-old Oscar Bartholomew, a spokesman said.
Bartholomew, who was originally from Grenada, had returned to the Caribbean island to celebrate the Christmas holidays with family and friends.
According to media reports, Bartholomew had hugged a female police officer whom he mistook for an old friend.
Oscar Bartholomew died after allegedly being beaten by police in Grenada. (Courtesy Grenada Broadcast)Bartholomew "hugged and lifted her off the ground before recognizing that it was a case of mistaken identity. His actions were viewed as assault on a police officer," Grenada Broadcast reported on its website.
"He was then apprehended and beaten by police, before succumbing to his injuries at the General Hospital," the media outlet reported.
A spokesperson for the Royal Grenada Police Force said the incident happened on Monday at about 2 p.m. local time and that the force is investigating.
Another police officer suggested Bartholomew may have been resisting arrest.
"It is very unfortunate and senior officers have actually visited the relatives and the next of kin of the deceased to officially inform them of the unfortunate incident. We have also extended our deepest condolences on the behalf of the commissioner and the force. So it is not something that we feel happy about," Supt. Dunbar Belson told CBC News.
Police have declined any further comment and said they would issue a statement later.
George Grant of Grenada Broadcast told CBC News on Wednesday that there have been several allegations cases of police brutality against the RGPF in the past few years.
At least three cases of police brutality were reported in 2011.
Grant said police launch investigations into the charges, but never reveal the outcomes.
Bartholomew was living in Toronto and married to a Canadian.
According to his family, he and his wife were in Grenada to visit relatives over Christmas.
A spokesman for the Canadian High Commission said a statement was expected to be released soon.
In Ottawa, a Foreign Affairs spokesperson said the department is “aware of reports of the death of a permanent resident of Canada in Grenada. Our thoughts and condolences are with those affected by this tragedy.”
90
General Discussion / How Birth Order Can Affect Your Job, Salary
« on: December 23, 2011, 01:43:45 PM »
Ruth Mantell
It's just not fair: Middle children are in a bad spot
Not only did your big brother steal your Halloween candy throughout childhood, but as an adult he probably makes more money than you, too, say recently released survey findings.
As if years of retribution-free noogies weren't sweet enough, it turns out that first-born kids are the most likely to earn six figures and hold a top executive position among workers with siblings, according to findings from jobs website CareerBuilder.com.
Meanwhile, middle kids are the most likely to report holding an entry-level spot and earning less than $35,000, while siblings born last are the most likely to work in middle management.
"The first-born child is usually in a leadership role in the household and it continues into their career," said Michael Erwin, senior career adviser at CareerBuilder.com. "The middle child tends to be more of the peacekeeper. The last born is more of the free spirit."
The CareerBuilder.com survey was conducted online between May 18 and June 8 among 5,708 full-time workers. Results also indicate that only children are more likely to earn six figures and to be a top executive, while workers with siblings are more likely to have job satisfaction.
"You know how to work better with a team because you've had siblings. An only child is used to doing things on their own," Erwin said.
According to the CareerBuilder.com survey, depending on order of birth, individuals tend to be in certain types of work. Those who are born first usually go into the fields of government, information technology, engineering and science. Middle children often go into law enforcement, firefighting, construction, education, and personal care. Those born last frequently go into art/design/architecture, editing/writing, information technology and sales.
Only children tend toward information technology, engineering, nursing and law enforcement.
Life Is Unfair
Firstborns, before their siblings arrive, benefit from more parental investment, such as time spent talking.
"When a sibling comes along, one has a rival for that attention and one is going to experience an intellectual environment that is being diluted," said Frank Sulloway, an adjunct professor in the psychology department at the University of California, Berkeley.
Research indicates that earlier-born men and women have higher educational attainment and higher earnings. On average, the IQs of firstborns are about three points higher than secondborns, based on data for men, according to Sandra Black, an economics professor at the University of Texas, Austin. Just a few IQ points can have an outsized impact.
"These are relatively modest differences, but that's sometimes the difference between getting into Harvard or some other school, and who gets a better job. It's totally unfair, but that's the way it is," Sulloway said.
Small differences among different siblings can also mean that there are a disproportionate number of firstborns in challenging fields such as medicine and law, he said.
When it comes to annual earnings for men, firstborns earn about 1.2% more than second children, and about 2.8% more than third children, according to Black. For women, firstborns earn about 4.2% more than secondborns, and about 6.6% more than thirdborns.
For earnings, much of the difference due to birth order is explained by differences in educational attainment, Black said.
"Birth order affects educational attainment, which then affects earnings," Black said. "Laterborns earn less than firstborns, and a substantial part of this different is due to the fact that laterborns get fewer years of education."
However, not all is doom and gloom for those who aren't the first-born child.
"Earnings are determined by a lot of different factors. So laterborns should not give up," Black said.
Birth Order and Personality
Birth order is not decisive when it comes to an individual's life achievements, but personality is shaped by experiences, and individuals have different experiences due to birth order, said Ben Dattner, a NY-based organizational psychologist.
"First-born siblings have an incentive to adapt to the family environment they were born into. There's a niche in the family for the first-born sibling to be a culture carrier — an open slot for the position of good-family citizen," Dattner said. "Second-born children are born into a family in which somebody has already occupied the position of good student, good kid, carrier of a parent's values."
Younger siblings will try to find their own niche — an area that firstborns don't already excel in, Sulloway said.
"To be different, younger siblings will often try to find their own domain, something they are particularly good at, something that is different from an older sibling's area of expertise," Sulloway said.
Later-born children tend to be more interested in foreign cultures and travel, and may be more likely to take risks, experts said.
"First-born siblings are less likely to move far away from their parents because they have adapted into their family's culture. But there are exceptions to every rule," Dattner said.
Who winds up drawing the shortest stick? It's the middle kid who tends to get less attention than either firstborns or younger siblings.
"Firstborns tend to receive more attention because they arrive first and receive 100% of parental attention until another sibling arrives. In addition, firstborns are older than their other siblings, generally assume a leadership role, and often serve as surrogate parents, assisting parents with child-rearing tasks, for which they derive certain rewards," Sulloway said. "Lastborns tend to receive an undue share of parental attention because they are the most vulnerable sibling, and hence the most in need of continuing parental investment and care."
It's just not fair: Middle children are in a bad spot
Not only did your big brother steal your Halloween candy throughout childhood, but as an adult he probably makes more money than you, too, say recently released survey findings.
As if years of retribution-free noogies weren't sweet enough, it turns out that first-born kids are the most likely to earn six figures and hold a top executive position among workers with siblings, according to findings from jobs website CareerBuilder.com.
Meanwhile, middle kids are the most likely to report holding an entry-level spot and earning less than $35,000, while siblings born last are the most likely to work in middle management.
"The first-born child is usually in a leadership role in the household and it continues into their career," said Michael Erwin, senior career adviser at CareerBuilder.com. "The middle child tends to be more of the peacekeeper. The last born is more of the free spirit."
The CareerBuilder.com survey was conducted online between May 18 and June 8 among 5,708 full-time workers. Results also indicate that only children are more likely to earn six figures and to be a top executive, while workers with siblings are more likely to have job satisfaction.
"You know how to work better with a team because you've had siblings. An only child is used to doing things on their own," Erwin said.
According to the CareerBuilder.com survey, depending on order of birth, individuals tend to be in certain types of work. Those who are born first usually go into the fields of government, information technology, engineering and science. Middle children often go into law enforcement, firefighting, construction, education, and personal care. Those born last frequently go into art/design/architecture, editing/writing, information technology and sales.
Only children tend toward information technology, engineering, nursing and law enforcement.
Life Is Unfair
Firstborns, before their siblings arrive, benefit from more parental investment, such as time spent talking.
"When a sibling comes along, one has a rival for that attention and one is going to experience an intellectual environment that is being diluted," said Frank Sulloway, an adjunct professor in the psychology department at the University of California, Berkeley.
Research indicates that earlier-born men and women have higher educational attainment and higher earnings. On average, the IQs of firstborns are about three points higher than secondborns, based on data for men, according to Sandra Black, an economics professor at the University of Texas, Austin. Just a few IQ points can have an outsized impact.
"These are relatively modest differences, but that's sometimes the difference between getting into Harvard or some other school, and who gets a better job. It's totally unfair, but that's the way it is," Sulloway said.
Small differences among different siblings can also mean that there are a disproportionate number of firstborns in challenging fields such as medicine and law, he said.
When it comes to annual earnings for men, firstborns earn about 1.2% more than second children, and about 2.8% more than third children, according to Black. For women, firstborns earn about 4.2% more than secondborns, and about 6.6% more than thirdborns.
For earnings, much of the difference due to birth order is explained by differences in educational attainment, Black said.
"Birth order affects educational attainment, which then affects earnings," Black said. "Laterborns earn less than firstborns, and a substantial part of this different is due to the fact that laterborns get fewer years of education."
However, not all is doom and gloom for those who aren't the first-born child.
"Earnings are determined by a lot of different factors. So laterborns should not give up," Black said.
Birth Order and Personality
Birth order is not decisive when it comes to an individual's life achievements, but personality is shaped by experiences, and individuals have different experiences due to birth order, said Ben Dattner, a NY-based organizational psychologist.
"First-born siblings have an incentive to adapt to the family environment they were born into. There's a niche in the family for the first-born sibling to be a culture carrier — an open slot for the position of good-family citizen," Dattner said. "Second-born children are born into a family in which somebody has already occupied the position of good student, good kid, carrier of a parent's values."
Younger siblings will try to find their own niche — an area that firstborns don't already excel in, Sulloway said.
"To be different, younger siblings will often try to find their own domain, something they are particularly good at, something that is different from an older sibling's area of expertise," Sulloway said.
Later-born children tend to be more interested in foreign cultures and travel, and may be more likely to take risks, experts said.
"First-born siblings are less likely to move far away from their parents because they have adapted into their family's culture. But there are exceptions to every rule," Dattner said.
Who winds up drawing the shortest stick? It's the middle kid who tends to get less attention than either firstborns or younger siblings.
"Firstborns tend to receive more attention because they arrive first and receive 100% of parental attention until another sibling arrives. In addition, firstborns are older than their other siblings, generally assume a leadership role, and often serve as surrogate parents, assisting parents with child-rearing tasks, for which they derive certain rewards," Sulloway said. "Lastborns tend to receive an undue share of parental attention because they are the most vulnerable sibling, and hence the most in need of continuing parental investment and care."