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Topics - TriniCana

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61
General Discussion / A Modern Parable
« on: May 28, 2008, 06:36:34 PM »

A Japanese company ( Toyota ) and an American  company (Ford Motors) decided to have a canoe race on the Missouri  River   Both teams practiced long and hard to reach their peak  performance before the race.

On the big day, the Japanese won by a mile.

The Americans, very discouraged and depressed, decided to investigate the reason for the crushing defeat.  A management team made up of senior management was formed to investigate and recommend appropriate action.

Their conclusion was the Japanese had 8 people rowing and 1 person steering, while the American team had 7 people steering and 2 people rowing.

Feeling a deeper study was in order; American management hired a consulting company and paid them a large amount of money for a second opinion.

They advised, of course, that too many people were steering the boat, while not enough people were rowing.

Not sure of how to utilize that information,  but wanting to prevent another loss to the Japanese, the rowing team's  management structure was totally reorganized to 4 steering supervisors,  2 area steering superintendents and 1 assistant superintendent steering  manager.

They also implemented a new performance system that would give the 2 people rowing the boat greater incentive to work harder.  It was called the 'Rowing Team Quality First Program,' with meetings, dinners and free pens for the rowers.  There was discussion of getting new paddles, canoes and other equipment, extra vacation days for practices and bonuses.  The pension program was trimmed to 'equal the competition' and some of the resultant savings were channeled into morale boosting programs and teamwork posters.

The next year the Japanese won by two miles.

Humiliated, the American management laid-off one rower, halted development of a new canoe, sold all the paddles, and canceled all capital investments for new equipment.  The money saved was distributed to the Senior Executives as bonuses.

The next year, try as he might, the lone designated rower was unable to even finish the race (having no paddles,) so he was laid off for unacceptable performance, all canoe equipment was sold and the next year's racing team was out-sourced to India.

Sadly, the End.

Here's something else to think about: Ford has spent the last thirty years moving all its factories out of the US , claiming they can't make money paying American wages.

TOYOTA has spent the last thirty years building more than a dozen plants inside the US .  The last quarter's results:

TOYOTA makes 4 billion in profits while Ford racked up 9 billion in losses.

Ford folks are still scratching their heads, and collecting bonuses...

IF  THIS WEREN'T SO TRUE IT MIGHT BE FUNNY :-\





62
General Discussion / A New Virus Alert
« on: May 17, 2008, 08:35:22 AM »
I'm just passing some information I received from someone via email.  I know some of you geniuses would just say out flat it is a fake and to disregard it. One of my  simple philosophy in life, "better be safe than sorry"....so watch allyuh arse :beermug:

email attachment:

http://www.snopes.com/computer/virus/postcard.asp

Hi All, I checked with Norton Anti-Virus, and they are gearing up for this virus!
I checked Snopes (URL above:), and it is for real!!
Get this E-mail message sent around to your contacts ASAP.

PLEASE FORWARD THIS WARNING AMONG FRIENDS, FAMILY AND CONTACTS!

You should be alert during the next few days. Do not open any message with an attachment entitled 'POSTCARD,' regardless of who sent it to you. It is a virus which opens A POSTCARD IMAGE, which 'burns' the whole hard disc C of your computer. This virus will be received from someone who has your e-mail address in his/her contact list. This is the reason why you need to send this e-mail to all your contacts It is better to receive this message 25 times than to receive the virus and open it.
If you receive a mail called' POSTCARD,' even though sent to you by a friend, do not open it! Shut down your computer immediately.
This is the worst virus announced by CNN. It has been classified by Microsoft as the most destructive virus ever. This virus was discovered by McAfee yesterday, and ther e is no repair yet for this kind of virus. This virus simply destroys the Zero Sector of the Hard Disc, where the vital information is kept.
COPY THIS E-MAIL, AND SEND IT TO YOUR FRIENDS. REMEMBER: IF YOU SEND IT TO THEM, YOU WILL BENEFIT ALL OF US

Snopes lists all the names it could come in.

63
Jokes / Dear Dr Ruth
« on: April 04, 2008, 11:25:20 PM »

64
General Discussion / Mama, dis is business!
« on: January 26, 2008, 11:06:48 PM »
Mama, dis is business!
In the 2008 edition of Trinidad Carnival, some of the popular mas bands will gross in excess of $10 million
Sunday, January 27th 2008

KLENWORTH JONES, a

journalism student at COSTAATT, looks into the books of the men who make mas.



Carnival comes with a price tag that changes for the better or for the worse-depending on whether you are consumer or producer-every year.

In the 2008 edition of Trinidad Carnival, some of the popular mas bands will gross in excess of $10 million. It is a moot question how much of this is profit and whether or not the taxman knows the answer to this question. What, however, is not in dispute is that for some individuals, mas has become a multi-million-dollar enterprise. The average cost of a costume for a female masquerader is approximately $3,200 whereas for male masqueraders the figure is in the region of $2,600. When one considers that the top-end bands can have in excess of 3,500 members and, that apart from the proceeds from the sale of costumes, there are multiple streams of revenue flowing into the bands, the picture becomes clear. Profit maximisation, one sees, is the name of the mas game.

Some popular mas bands now offer complete packages for their members, which typically include meals and snacks, air-conditioned rest and relaxation buses, all the alcohol that you can drink along with your costume. On its website, one of them, Tribe, describes its focus as "providing the ultimate Carnival experience for masqueraders by producing a superior product."

A number of bands now use the medium of the Internet to advertise their costume designs and register masqueraders as well as to sell their concept of the mas experience. Here is a listing of what two of the popular bands, Tribe and Island People, offer in their all-inclusive packages.


THE TRIBE EXPERIENCE

- Fully-stocked premium bars with unlimited supplies of ice-cold alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks

- A variety of food (breakfast, lunch, snacks, dessert)

- Private security team

- Complimentary shuttle service to the band (for latecomers)

- Goody bag (Carnival essentials and souvenirs)

- Tribe 'cool-zones'

- On-site paramedic team & ambulance

- Mobile restrooms

- Roaming photographers and, of course,

- a costume!


THE ISLAND PEOPLE EXPERIENCE

- Breakfast on Tuesday, lunch, munchies, finger foods & cutters both days.

- Premium drinks and cocktails on custom-made bars strategically placed throughout the band.

- The security detail has been revamped and increased to provide a more comfortable environment for all masqueraders.

- LTB (Locate the band) Service

- Shuttle to the band-all day Monday and Tuesday.

- On Carnival Monday, the band will be departing from the Hasely Crawford Stadium at 10 a.m. and at 7 a.m. from Cipriani Boulevard on Carnival Tuesday.

- Sacha Headley and Food Express Ltd will be providing masqueraders with meals prepared so as to be tasty, lean and healthy.

- Unlimited drinks, unlimited fun, unlimited good times.

- Seven 40ft. trailer trucks powered by sound systems from the top DJ's in Trinidad and Tobago.

- Moving bathrooms with exceptional powder room service and amenities.

- Survivor packs / "goodie bag".


Other popular mas bands such as Trini Revellers, Legacy and even Rosalind Gabriel's children's band offer variations on the same theme, but nowhere does this new-dimension mas experience come cheap.

The real elements which factor into the production of a mas band will amaze you. What you see is definitely not what you get. No longer does the production of a Carnival band involve eager enthusiasts giving life to artistic expression in a make-shift shed in Woodbrook or East Port of Spain. It has developed into a very complex business enterprise. The management structure is complete with accounting; marketing and legal elements and the level of commercial sophistication required can rival or even surpass many traditional corporate entities.

It is useful to undertake here a more detailed examination of this developing phenomenon.


Management Structure

Traditionally, the mas band was controlled by a bandleader; names like George Bailey, Stephen Lee Heung, Peter Minshall and Raoul Garib come immediately to mind. Together with a group of designers, these men usually came up with a theme, conceptualised the mas, designed and constructed costumes and coordinated the activities of the mas camp until the wee hours of the morning in the pre-Carnival season. Today, the so-called "bandleader" is but a manager, a front man, a mere figurehead, the real driving force behind the band being the "band owner." The term is usually applied to a financier or group of financiers who hire a cadre of professionals to run the day-to-day affairs of the band. Let us hear what a member of the management committee of one of the big bands has to tell us.

The band, he says, is owned by a popular businessman, of Independence Square in Port of Spain. The band's management committee includes a bandleader, public relations officer and a team of designers. For this Carnival, the band will consist of 22 sections, down from 35 in 2007. The band itself will produce one section in 2008, the other 21 being franchised out to various section leaders who will each pay the owner a sum in the region of $70- $80,000 for the privilege. According to our source, in the final cost to masqueraders are included the cost of inputs such as security, music (live bands and deejays), raw materials for costumes and cost of design and labour, all of which are very high. Inevitably, the cost of "a costume" is adjusted to reflect these expenses.

Traditional-style band management is also very much alive but is seen mainly among the medium and small bands. Very much in the mould of his mentor Minshall, Brian McFarlane continues to be very heavily involved in the creation, design and management of the current holders of the Large Band of the Year title although a committee is charged with the logistics that precede the band's appearance on Carnival Monday. Among the successful traditionally organised bands, Trevor Wallace and Associates and The Kallicharrans from San Fernando are two of the names that stand out.

The reasons why traditional bandleaders hold on to the traditional Carnival arrangements are as varied as the people themselves. Those close to McFarlane say that the love of drama and the opportunity to tell a story through the medium of mas are what, in the main, drive him. This is not to say that there are no commercial considerations, but the mas product on Carnival days reflects the substance that the bandleader inputs.


Sources of income

Apart from the money generated by costume sales, there are multiple sources of income available to bands. A customer service representative for Island People Mas confirms that the band itself does not produce mas but that "independent contractors" pay a fee for the right to produce a section using the Island People brand. Usually, the general design is done by the band and the cost of inputs is borne by the franchisee but these arrangements are always negotiable. Written contracts spell out precisely the responsibilities of each party and detail a schedule for payments.

For Carnival 2008, the most expensive packages are from the band Tribe. Interestingly, the costumes were completely sold out in record time. The prices ranged from a low of $2,250 for a basic male costume to a high of $4,499 for a basic female costume. Add-on pieces such as wings or boys' shorts for women could increase the price by as much as $499 depending on the section.

For this Carnival , Island People Mas has a limit of 12 sections, each with a maximum of 300 members who will pay on average $3,200 for the experience. A quick calculation shows that in this year alone the organization will gross in excess of $10 million.

But masqueraders are not the only contributors to band income. The band owners also generate income from other sources. Both sources to whom the COSTAATT Star spoke concede that corporate sponsors contribute heavily to the major bands, in cash or kind. One of them explains that the management team of the band goes after companies to provide drinks, meals, music or cash in exchange for the display of their product or their name or both at band events or for exclusive association with the mas band.

On its website Island People Mas has listed its major sponsors in three categories, gold, silver and bronze. The lone Gold Sponsor is bmobile. Moneygram International Money Transfer stands alone as a Silver Sponsor while the Bronze Sponsors include Carib Brewery, makers of Stag beer; Angostura 1919 Premium Rum; Fernandes Black and Blue Waters. The list of major sponsors also includes some major corporate heavyweights, Telecommunications giants Cable and Wireless and Digicel, beverage distributors such as A.S.Bryden, Blue Waters, Coca Cola Ltdand S.M.Jaleel and Company Ltd.

Also featuring on the list are cloth stores Jimmy Aboud and Queensway. All these companies pay large sums to the band owner for the opportunity to be associated with the brand, not simply on the two Carnival days but also at all of their associated events.

Associated events represent a major source of income for the bands and more precisely, their owners. Over the years, the

associated events have become more sophisticated and their numbers have also increased. The packages offered and the way in which they are marketed reflect to a large extent the sophistication of the organisers.

The heavy input from sponsors and the huge patronage of these concept events have made them significant money spinners.The events can commence as early as July or August depending on the date of the next year's Carnival.

Private members only band launching, a public band launching and all-inclusive Carnival fetes are staged, with the brand featuring prominently. On its website Tribe Mas boasts that its 2007 ultra all-inclusive Carnival fete, Bliss, was the first large public event to use electronic tickets.

This new technology eliminates the scalpers, "stormers" and the producers of counterfeit tickets, ensuring that all or almost all of the profits are enjoyed by the producers of the event. The cost per ticket ranges between $300 and $700 and large contributions from major sponsors mean owners rake in sums in ranges that may surprise the taxman.

The multiple sources, of income that flow into the hands of popular mas bands have not entirely escaped the eye of the taxman. All the bands that are registered as business entities are required to pay corporate taxes. For those which gross in excess of $200,000 yearly, VAT registration is mandatory.

Bandleaders also pay full import duties and taxes on raw materials and imported pre-assembled costumes. In addition a public notice on the website of the Inland Revenue Division (IRD) strongly advises all bandleaders, music arrangers, disc jockeys, fetepromoters, calypso tent owners, landlords and caterers who intend to make in excess of $200,000 for the Carnival season to register with the Value Added Tax Division.

The Taxpayer Relations Department of the IRD outlines the procedure for accessing tax breaks for investments in cultural activities. The investor must be registered with and certified by the Culture Division of the Ministry of Community Development Culture And Gender Affairs. Approval of the investment is given and this approval of particular investments accompanies the tax return of the investor. The tax rebate is 150 per cent of the investment up to a maximum of $1 million.

The items that qualify for this tax relief are determined by the Culture Division. A call to this government agency revealed that cassettes, DVDs and music CDs from local artistes receive a concession on import taxes and duties. The tax rebates on investments in cultural activities are limited to investments in the performing arts. Officials at the IRD confirm that these claims are being made but were unable to quantify the number of people who access this facility on an annual basis.

The export of Trinidad Carnival is by no means a new phenomenon. Carnival a la T&T has long since been exported to several of the large metropolitan cities of the Diaspora and Trinidad-style Carnivals are now held in Kingston, Jamaica on the Easter weekend; in Bridgetown, Barbados; in Notting Hill, New York, Miami and Toronto. There the Trini experience is reproduced on some usually reduced scale and, not surprisingly, all the big names, Tribemas, Trini Revellers and Legacy, keep reappearing. One suspects that once expansion of the local Carnival peaks -current economic buoyancy suggests later rather than sooner-the large bands that have mastered the business of carnival will turn their full attention to the expansion of the export market for the mas.

In the meantime, however, mas making in Trinidad remains a very profitable enterprise for the new breed of Carnival entrepreneur. Amid the buoyancy of the current economic conjuncture, people with money are making more of it in ways and on a scale that the average man on the street would have never considered possible. I guess one could say, using an expression that was once very popular with the man in the street that the money men are making a small mas with the mas.
 

65
General Discussion / OUCH
« on: January 13, 2008, 08:49:25 AM »

66
General Discussion / STROKE:
« on: January 12, 2008, 11:26:57 AM »
STROKE: Remember The 1st Three Letters.... S.T.R.     


STROKE IDENTIFICATION:

During a BBQ, a friend stumbled and took a little fall - she assured everyone that she was fine (they offered to call paramedics) .....she said she had just tripped over a brick because of her new shoes.

They got her cleaned up and got her a new plate of food. While she appeared a bit shaken up, Ingrid went about enjoying herself the rest of the evening.

Ingrid's husband called later telling everyone that his wife had been taken to the hospital - (at 6:00 pm Ingrid passed away.) She had suffered a stroke at the BBQ. Had they known how to identify the signs of a stroke, perhaps Ingrid would be with us today. Some don't die.... they end up in a helpless, hopeless condition instead.
It only takes a minute to read this...

A neurologist says that if he can get to a stroke victim within 3 hours he can totally reverse the effects of a stroke... totally . He said the trick was getting a stroke recognized, diagnosed, and then getting the patient medically cared for within 3 hours, which is tough.

RECOGNIZING A STROKE

The 1st Three Letters.... S.T.R.

Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify. Unfortunately, the lack of awareness spells disaster. The stroke victim may suffer severe brain damage when people nearby fail to recognize the symptoms of a stroke .

Now doctors say a bystander can recognize a stroke by asking three simple questions:
S * Ask the individual to SMILE.
T * Ask the person to TALK and SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE (Coherently)
(i.e. It is sunny out today)
R * Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS.


If he or she has trouble with ANY ONE of these tasks, call 999/911 immediately and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher.

New Sign of a Stroke -------- Stick out Your Tongue

NOTE: Another 'sign' of a stroke is this: Ask the person to 'stick' out his tongue.. If the tongue is 'crooked', if it goes to one side or the other , that is also an indication of a stroke.




 
 


67
General Discussion / Juror: Only my husband can see - THOUGHTS ???
« on: January 12, 2008, 07:54:33 AM »
Juror: Only my husband can see
NEWSDAY
By FRANCIS JOSEPH Saturday, January 12 2008


THE High Court will seek the assistance of the Muslim community in the country to determine whether a Muslim woman, called as a potential juror, can refuse to remove her burka (the veil covering her face).

The issue arose recently when a Muslim woman was called as a potential juror before Madame Justice Joan Charles in the Port-of-Spain High Court in December.

The woman who is a member of a Muslim sect in Central Trinidad, turned up in court with only her eyes exposed. During an inquiry by the court, the woman, a Muslim scholar, said based on her religious beliefs, the only man who can see her face is her husband. She is allowed to show off her face to other women.

The matter became an issue and yesterday, there was an intervention from Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Geoffrey Henderson, Ravi Rajcoomar, representing the Law Association, and a State attorney from the Solicitor General’s Department.

Henderson asked, “How should the court approach a juror who has the constitutional right to practice her religious beliefs in circumstances where she is a juror who is not exempted under the Jury Act, but wishes to serve as a juror wearing her burka which reveals only her eyes?”

The DPP continued, “How is that to be reconciled with the rights of the accused person who has the right to see the face of the juror who sits in judgment of the issues in this case?”

According to Henderson, there is also the issue of security.

An issue also arose on the last occasion as to whether the media should be banned from reporting this issue. Rajcoomar told the court that the judge had no power to ban the media from covering this issue and reminded Charles of the Privy Council decision in the Independent Publishing case.

After hearing the attorneys, Charles said an invitation would be extended to the Inter-Religious Organisation (IRO) seeking the assistance of the Muslim groups, including the one to which the juror belongs, to hear their views. She said the IRO would identify the persons who should be consulted.

Charles adjourned the matter to January 18 for a status hearing to decide on the path forward in determining this issue. The juror has already served one month in court, but according to the lawyers, this issue can return to the judiciary in the near future.

 

68
Entertainment & Culture Discussion / Terry Joseph Dead
« on: January 02, 2008, 08:58:18 PM »
Has anyone heard of his passing ???

For those who don't know him, he is/was a well known reporter of the arts/culture in Trinidad and Tobago, even the Caribbean. Wrote some steller pieces on some if not all of the icons of Trinidad and Tobago...(I'm sure others would contribute more about him)

Here is one
http://www.pantrinbago.com/BerylMcBernie2.htm

None of the online newspapers at home has changed to Thursday's news yet...

69
Jokes / Little Johnny - Tragedy
« on: December 06, 2007, 12:14:53 PM »
Patrick manning and Colm  Imbert, while visiting a primary school class,
found themselves in the middle  of a discussion related to words
and their meanings.

The teacher asked both men if they would like to lead  the discussion of the
word "tragedy". So the illustrious Manning asks  the
class for an example of a "tragedy".

One little boy stood up and offered: "If my best friend, was traveling  in a
maxi taxi and it hit a pot hole and ran off the road and
he died,  that would be a tragedy."

"No," says  Manning, "that would be an accident."

A  little girl raised her hand: "If my mommy and daddy and got kidnapped and
the  bandits took the money but still killed them, that
would be a  tragedy."

I'm afraid not," explains the  exalted Imbert "That's what we would call a
great loss." The room goes  silent.

No other children  volunteer.
Imbert searches the room. "Isn't  there someone here who can give me an
example of a tragedy?"

Finally at the back of the room little Johnny  raises his hand. In a stern
voice he says: "If a plane carrying Prime  Minister Patrick
Manning and Minister Colm Imbert was suddenly blown to  smithereens that
would be a tragedy."

Fantastic!" exclaims the Manning, "That's right. And can you tell me  why
that would be a tragedy?"

"Well," says  little Johnny, "because it sure as hell wouldn't be no great
loss, and it  probably wouldn't be no accident either."

70
General Discussion / Montrose Govt girls called 'sexy' by workmen
« on: December 01, 2007, 10:14:25 AM »
I cyah believe dis nah >:(
Primary school boy steups

...School guard attacked for intervening
Trinidad Express
Carolyn Kissoon South Bureau
Saturday, December 1st 2007





A security guard was beaten at the Montrose Government Primary School yesterday, after warning workmen there to stop making lewd remarks to female pupils.

The workmen were contracted by the Ministry of Education to place wire mesh throughout the building to prevent pigeons from entering classrooms.

After the guard was beaten and taken to hospital, parents refused to allow their children into the school while the workmen were on the compound. They demanded a full investigation into the incident.

Anna Maria Jackson, secretary of the Parent/Teacher Association, said parents did not feel safe leaving their children at the school yesterday.

"Blood was splattered near the guard booth and the glass window was broken. Many parents brought their children to school. But when they heard about the incident they took their children and returned home. They do not want their children in school at the same time as the workers," she said.

The school gates remained locked yesterday. Parents lined up outside trying to get to their children.

Jackson said around 6.30 p.m. on Thursday, a male security guard called the workmen and attempted to speak with them about harassing the schoolgirls.

"They were calling the girls sexy and whistling at them when they walked by. When the guard tried to speak with them about it they started beating him with a wrecking bar (crowbar). He ran inside his booth and locked the door, but they broke a glass window and went inside," she said.

Yesterday would have been the first time in months that the pupils would have had a full week of school. Parents have staged several protests outside the school over pigeon droppings and a leaking sewer system in recent months.

The ministry hired a contractor to sanitise the compound and place nylon mesh to prevent the birds from going inside the classrooms. Yesterday, Jackson said the security guard, who is employed with Imjin Security, was being treated at hospital.

Jinnah Mohammed, director of operations at Imjin Security, in confirming the incident, said: "Our security guard was attacked by workmen on the school's compound. We have launched our own investigation into the incident."

The company, school officials and police declined to give the name of the guard.

Chaguanas police visited the scene and questioned several people.

The incident was reported to the ministry and a full investigation has been launched, an official said.
 

71
General Discussion / WHY I FIRED ROY
« on: November 15, 2007, 10:03:54 PM »
 :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:
Lawd look nah at 11 pm in dey night I bussin hard laugh like i in dey Central Market.
Anna Ramdass aramdass@trinidadexpress.com

UNC Alliance co-leader Jack Warner has broken his silence over the firing of his longtime friend and political rival Roy Augustus from an executive position at CONCACAF, saying he was the victim of an obscene, abusive confrontation.

Warner, president of CONCACAF and vice president of FIFA, said yesterday that Augustus, the chairman of the Congress of the People, was putting his political interests before his work.

"He (Augustus) was abusive to me, he cuss me and tell me that he doesn't have to account to me for his time and that I am the world's greatest deceiver," said Warner, who once shared a 25-year professional friendship with Augustus, a former principal of Rosary Boys' RC School.

Warner was speaking at President's House, St Ann's after United National Congress Political Leader Basdeo Panday officially received his instrument of appointment for the post of Opposition Leader from President George Maxwell Richards.

Warner said some time ago Augustus told him he had a meeting at the Centre of Excellence, Macoya, but it turned out that Augustus went to the COP headquarters at Gaston Court, Chaguanas to join COP political leader Winston Dookeran at a press conference.

"I sacked him because he left to go to the Centre of Excellence to a meeting and he lied...he went to Gaston (Court) with Mr Dookeran," said Warner, adding that he was upset when he saw Augustus's photo on the front page of a daily newspaper the next day.

"So I wrote to him and I asked him why and he cuss my mother, my grandchildren, my mother and so on, he told me that Mr Panday say to fire him and why don't I fire him. I say you fired," said Warner.  :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

"He said to me I could do what I want and all the F's in the world and all the mother so and so in the world, I say to him thank you very much," Warner continued.

Warner said he did not fire Augustus before because of Augustus's loyalty to the COP.

"Mr Augustus has been in the COP as chairman for over a year, I didn't sack him. He went on leave, I didn't sack him. He went on the platform and was very critical and nasty of me, I didn't sack him," said Warner.

Warner added that Augustus was given four weeks leave from work with pay, which he was not entitled to, to campaign in the general elections.

He said he gave Augustus time to build his party and he never had a problem with that.

"We parted company based on his obscene behaviour," Warner said.

"He (Augustus) telling me that he from behind the bridge as though that is some claim to fame, well I am from under the bridge," slammed Warner.

Warner said he does not have any intention of sacking other COP members who work for him as long as they do their jobs.

"I have never spoken to Mr (Ken) Emrith or Mr (Felix) Hernandez as yet about firing them and I don't see how that arises, I say to these guys if you do your work, then fine."

Emrith is the manager of the Centre of Excellence and Hernandez is in charge of security.

Both are senior COP members.

Warner said some of his employees who are devoted to the COP abused the company's resources in the election race.

He said the chief security officer of the Centre of Excellence used the company's car to transport COP supporters to vote on election day.

A senior COP member confirmed last night the verbal assault by Augustus but said he was provoked.

"Roy did tell off Warner but he did so after receiving a very nasty e-mail," said the COP member who did not wish to named.

"Roy is not the kind of person to just curse somebody so, Warner was very nasty in his e-mail," he continued.

He added that the people should not be fooled and think that Warner was "silent like a lamb".

The Express tried to contact Augustus yesterday but calls to his cell phone (a company mobile unit) went unanswered.
 
ed]Anna Ramdass aramdass@trinidadexpress.com [/color]

72
General Discussion / Woman Claims Son, 9, forced To Smoke Ganja
« on: November 12, 2007, 10:05:15 PM »
This woman hadda be ah facking ass..
You go see ya young child who missing for hours running back to dey house wearing only his underwear which is inside out, and you studying if he puff ganja ???  She sure does all he smoke ???  The mentality ah some people does really get me worried bout the next generation yes

nah man >:(

Trinidad Guardian
BY ADRIAN BOODAN


A PREGNANT mother is claiming police are dragging their feet in investigating a report that her nine-year-old son was kidnapped by a gang of men on Saturday and forced to smoke marijuana.

Jassodra Harridial, 31, of Esperanza Village in California, said her son Peter Bissoon went missing from the family’s home at about 5 pm on Saturday.

A search party combed the village looking for the child but he could not be found. However, at about 9 pm, Bissoon was seen running through a neighbour’s yard.

Harridial said the youngster returned home with mud on his skin, dressed only in his underwear, which was turned on the wrong side. She said her son’s eyes were bloodshot.

Harridial said when she questioned him, the boy said he had been given cigarettes to smoke by a gang of men and afterwards fell asleep in a car belonging to one of them. He told her that when he awoke he jumped out of the parked vehicle and ran home.

Because her son fell asleep, Harridial believed the cigarettes contained marijuana.

Harridial said her son was frightened and she charged that he was intimidated by a villager whom she claimed was involved in the incident.

The woman said she reported the matter to Couva police shortly after her son returned but was abused by the policeman on the other end of the phone line. She said the officer hung up the phone on her.

Harridial said she complained to Chaguanas Mayor Suruj Rambachan, who promised to have senior officers look into the matter.

Harridial said Couva policemen visited the family yesterday and took her and her son to

the station for questioning.

The child was also taken for a medical examination at the Couva Health Centre. Harridial said the exam revealed the child was not interfered with, but she complained no blood test was done to check for traces of narcotics. <---eh ???

If that is the case then no test was done period....

Head of the T&T Crime Watch Ian Alleyne visited the family on Saturday and Sunday, and said he had contacted attorney Om Lalla on the matter.

Alleyne said he would contact Commissioner of Police Trevor Paul and call for an investigation into Harridial’s claim that she was abused by the police.
 
 

73
General Discussion / This Take Dey Blasted Cake
« on: November 12, 2007, 09:35:49 PM »
First ah buss ah hard laugh and say it good, den ah steupse, den cuss.


Policeman Caught Red-Handed


BY GEISHA KOWLESSAR

A police constable, reportedly caught red-handed trying to break into the property room of the abandoned St Joseph Police Station, will appear before a Tunapuna magistrate today to answer several charges.

Investigating officers said the lawman, of Tunapuna, recently returned to work after three years’ sick leave.

The constable was nabbed at about 6.45 pm on Saturday by a party of officers from the St Joseph CID.

Senior officers said yesterday the property room is normally used to store arms and ammunition.

According to reports, the St Joseph officers were on patrol when they spotted “suspicious activity” at the abandoned station.

Upon investigating, they discovered their colleague allegedly using a bolt-cutter trying to open the property room.

The officer was immediately arrested and the bolt-cutter seized.

Two men, however, who were reportedly assisting the lawman, ran out of the abandoned station and escaped on foot.

A search was conducted at the home of the arrested officer where assorted rounds of live ammunition were found.

Up to late yesterday afternoon, police were questioning another officer who was performing sentry duties at a mobile police unit on the compound of the abandoned St Joseph Station at the time of the attempted break-in.

Contacted yesterday afternoon, Asst Police Commissioner in charge of anti-crime operations Gilbert Reyes said any officer caught in untoward activities will feel the full brunt of the law.

“Untoward behaviour is certainly inexcusable and, if caught, the police will go to all lengths to ensure perpetrators are dealt with according to law,” Reyes said.
 
©2005-2006 Trinidad Publishing Company Limited
Designed by: Randall Rajkumar-Maharaj · Updated daily by: Nicholas Attai

 
 
 

74
Gawd boy dey Guardian Newspapers in full swing wid dey news on dis "warm" Saturday.  In the 2 stories, do you think they are politically motivated or just lack of communication?

BY GEISHA KOWLESSAR

ADVERTISING firm Valdez and Torry has come out in strong defence of a controversial newspaper advertisement involving a uniformed police corporal and the ruling People’s National Movement (PNM).

It insisted that T&T Police Service gave permission to shoot an ad on behalf of the PNM.

The story of the cop in a political ad was carried exclusively in the Guardian yesterday following questions raised about who authorised the policeman’s participation in the PNM promotion.

In a telephone interview yesterday, Christian Torry said his advertising company “acted above board” when putting together the ad.

The photo in the ad, Torry said, was not handed over to his company by the communications officials of the Police Service.

Rather, it was the result of “a photo shoot using an official police officer,” he said.

According to Torry, consent was given by the Communications Unit of the Police Service to shoot the ad “just outside” the Police Administration building in Port-of-Spain.

He said, “We got permission from the communications unit of the Police Service. They approved everything.

“The communications unit also supplied the policeman seen in the ad.”

Asked if the Communications Unit knew that the ad was being done on behalf of the PNM, Torry replied, “Yes, they knew. They obviously knew because we told them what the ad was about.”

Communications specialist Ann Marie Grant could not be reached yesterday and communications officer Wendy Campbell said she could not yet provide any answers to questions.


Police: No permission given

Deputy Police Commissioner Glen Roach, when contacted yesterday, maintained he was unaware about the photo being taken.


In a brief interview, Roach also dismissed claims that officials within the Police Service, particularly policemen, would approve or participate in advertisements involving political parties.

Roach again refused to identify the police corporal in the ad. The officer, therefore, could not be reached for comment. Sources said, however, the officer worked at the Police Administration building.

According to the Regulations of the T&T Police Service, no officer, being a member of the protective services, can “publish any information or expression of opinion or matters of national or international political controversy.”
 
********************

Gary Griffith as he appears in the COP press advertisement.

ON THE heels of the furore over a police corporal appearing in a PNM press advertisement, St Ann’s East candidate for the Congress of the People (COP), Gary Griffith, has found himself in hot water with the T&T Defence Force for appearing in a political ad while wearing an army uniform.

In the ad, featuring prospective COP crime-fighting heavyweights, Griffith is shown wearing an army cap and is identified as a “Captain.”

Yesterday, Chief of Defence Staff Brigadier Edmund Dillion, said Griffith, a former Army captain, had no authority to wear a Defence Force uniform and no right to have allowed the photograph to appear in the ad.

Dillon said Griffith resigned from the Defence Force and was now a civilian. He said the Defence Force did not consider Griffith a captain.

Dillon said, “He resigned and this does not allow him to use the uniform. He should know better.”

Dillon acknowled, however, the photograph of Griffith could have been an old photograph, but felt it should not be used in the promotion of a political party.

“We (the Defence Force) don’t look at that as positive at all. We don’t expect that type of behaviour even if he resigned. He is not allowed to do that,” Dillon said.

“Griffith should have known better. The army does not condone that.”

Dillon said he intended to call Griffith and ask him to address the matter.

The army chief said there were army regulations against this.

Dillon said army officers were also not allowed to enter the various army camps with political paraphernalia.

He said while soldiers can be politically aware “we cannot be politically involved.”

Contacted yesterday, Captain Al Alexander, public relations officer of the Defence Force, agreed it was “against military tradition” for Griffith to carry the title of “captain.”

“Only people carrying the rank of major and above are allowed carry their rank even after leaving the army,” he said.

“I have a serious problem with someone in an army uniform in a political advertisement.

“That is wrong.”

But the official added, “He (Griffith) may get away with it because he used the word “former” in the sub-heading.

“So therefore it is an admittance that he no longer belongs to the army.”

Griffith: I’m being targeted

Contacted via his cellphone yesterday, Griffith claimed he was being “targeted” so that his campaign would be “affected.”

“I am obviously being targeted so that my campaign would be affected because they see me as the “dark horse” coming to take away the seat from the PNM,” Griffith said.

He also accused some members of the army of “holding PNM party cards” adding, “They are very petty in wanting to make that an issue.”

Stating the photo in the ad was “an old photo,” Griffith said he saw “nothing wrong” with using the photo in the political advertisement.

“That is an old photo taken several years ago while I was in the army. Why the big deal? I don’t see what the fuss is all about,” Griffith said.

— With reporting by Geisha Kowlessar
 
©2005-2006 Trinidad Publishing
 
 
 

75
General Discussion / How would you feel, or what would you do if....
« on: October 18, 2007, 10:24:07 AM »
your 11-12 year old son/daughter came home from school with a package containing condoms, birth control pills and brochures on safe sex ???  You were told by your child that this was given to them by the PTA or school governs.  Note, you won't notified by the school that this would be happening.

Your honest response and not those of others would be appreciated.

76
I only am speechless

I was watching the news and this story came around. I had to go on the web to fully understand what dey hell happen.

http://www.thenewsstar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070929/NEWS01/709290316/-1/STATE

People don't think anymore ??? Where is the education here ???  What can this so call teacher be telling the kids while putting the noose over this child's neck?? I would love to hear from one of the children what "miss" was saying





77
General Discussion / Cheating husband stabbed
« on: September 18, 2007, 09:34:10 AM »
South Bureau
Trinidad Express


Tuesday, September 18th 2007
 
 
A waitress came home to find her husband in bed with a strange woman and stabbed him several times in the chest yesterday.

The incident occurred at Centenary Street Princes Town at 3.45 am.

The 26-year-old woman now faces charges of wounding with intent.

Her husband was listed in serious condition at the San Fernando General Hospital last night.

A man who was supposed to have acted as a watchman for the adulterous husband failed to do his duty, police said.

The injured husband is a WASA employee and the couple lived in a rented apartment.
 

78
General Discussion / Make A Difference
« on: September 17, 2007, 02:25:04 PM »
Something of interest to read....hopefully yahoo and gmail would take up this drive also.

http://im.live.com/Messenger/IM/Home/

79
Jokes / Never Let A Crack Head Sing At A Funeral
« on: September 17, 2007, 01:44:09 PM »
Since 3 pm Sunday 17th September 2007 I laughing
Meh eye swollen like sombody beat meh down today in wuk....me aint' care

Ah still laughing hard - OMAZING GRACE

http://s157.photobucket.com/albums/t76/TCana/?action=view&current=omazing-grace.flv

disclaimer:
oh since some ah allyuh "whola" dan doth and who plan on gettin offended....FROTH >:(

But ya missing out on dey last seta notes :rotfl: :rotfl:


80
Jokes / Black Balled AGAIN
« on: September 16, 2007, 11:49:23 AM »
A male patient is lying in bed in the hospital, wearing an oxygen mask over his mouth and nose, still heavily sedated from a difficult four hour, surgical procedure.

A young student nurse appears to give him a partial sponge bath. "Nurse", he mumbles, from behind the mask. "Are my testicles black?"
Embarrassed, the young nurse replies "I don't know, Sir. I'm only here to wash your upper body and feet."
He struggles to ask again, "Nurse, are my testicles black?"

Concerned that he may elevate his vitals from worry about his testicles, she overcomes her embarrassment and sheepishly pulls back the covers. She raises his gown, holds his penis in one hand and his testicles in the other, lifting and moving them around.
Then, she takes a close look and says, "There's nothing wrong with them, Sir !!" The man pulls off his oxygen mask, smiles at her and says very slowly, "Thank you very much. That was wonderful, but listen very, very closely......

A r e - m y - t e s t - r e s u l t s - b a c k ? "

81
Jokes / Harley Davidson
« on: September 14, 2007, 09:27:25 AM »
The inventor of the Harley-Davidson motorcycle, Arthur Davidson, died and went to heaven.

At the pearly gates, St. Peter told Arthur,"Since you've been such a good man and your motorcycles have changed the world, your reward is, you can hang out with anyone you want in Heaven." Arthur thought about this for a minute and then said, "I want to hang out with God." St. Peter took Arthur to the Throne Room and introduced him to God. God recognized Arthur and commented, "Okay, so you were the one who invented the Harley Davidson motorcycle?"

Arthur said, "Yep, that's me."

God said, "Well, what's the big deal in inventing something that's pretty unstable, makes noise and pollution and can't run without a road?"

Arthur was apparently embarrassed, but finally he said, "Excuse me, but aren't you the inventor of woman?"

God said, "Yes."

Well," said Arthur, "professional to professional, you have some major design flaws in your invention:

1. There's too much inconsistency in the front-end protrusions;

2. It chatters constantly at high speeds;

3. Most of the rear ends are too soft and wobble too much;

4. The intake is placed way too close to the exhaust;

5. And the maintenance costs are enormous!"

"Hmmmmm, you have some good points there," replied God, "hold on."

God went to His Celestial super computer, typed in some key words and waited for the results. The computer printed out a slip of paper and God read it.

"Well, it may be true that my invention is flawed,"

God said to Arthur, "but according to these statistics, more men are riding my invention than yours."


82
Jokes / A POEM TO ME MUDDER
« on: September 13, 2007, 10:09:45 PM »


When me prayers were poorly said,
Who tucked me in me widdle bed,
And spanked me till me ass was red?
Me Mudder

Who took me from me cozy cot
And put me on me ice-cold pot,
And made me pee pee if I could not?
Me Mudder

And when the morning light would come,
And in me crib me dribble some,
Who wipe me tiny widdle bum?
Me Mudder

Who would me hair so gently part,
And hug me gently to her heart,
And sometimes squeeze me till me fart?
Me Mudder

Who looked at me with eyebrows knit,
And nearly had a king size fit,
When in my Sunday pants me shit?
Me Mudder

When at night the bed did squeak,
Me raised me head to have a peek,
Who yelled at me to go to sleep?
Me Fadder


is ah reel cool site
http://oletalk.tripod.com/enter.html

83
Jokes / Now Showing at MovieTown - UPDATE UPDATE
« on: September 05, 2007, 12:03:30 PM »


84
General Discussion / Little Priya 'Happy' To Receive Award
« on: September 01, 2007, 08:36:45 AM »
Trinidad Express
Anna Ramdass


Saturday, September 1st 2007
 

Humming Bird Medal: Six-year-old Priya Seeram

Prime Minister Patrick Manning was visibly surprised yesterday when six-year-old Priya Seeram went to the stage to receive a national award for gallantry.

Priya received the Humming Bird Medal (bronze) for gallantry at the National Awards Ceremony f held at the Diplomatic Centre, La Fantasie Road, St Ann's. Manning told the Express he was surprised and felt happy that Priya was bestowed with the award for her bravery.

Asked by reporters how she felt , Priya said, "nice and happy."

A timid Priya said she wanted to become an artist. Priya's mother Dhanmatie said she was " very proud and happy" for Priya who she described as " a very special child," she said.

On Sunday September 3, 2006 then five years old, Priya Seeram tried saving her cousin from a kidnapper who came out of the forest.

She failed, but ran until she found help that sparked a search involving scores of villagers.

It was the relentless hunt along dirt roads, rivers and forest tracks that led to the rescue of 20-year-old Candice Beharry.

The abductor, with Beharry slung on his back, dropped her and ran as the search party began closing in.

Beharry was snatched on the Sunday afternoon, but was home by nightfall-because of Priya's action.

Beharry's father, hardware owner Chitrika Beharry, said he owed his daughter's life to Priya.

"If she was not that brave, if it did not happen so, my daughter would be dead," he told the Express.
 

85
Entertainment & Culture Discussion / Ole Kaiso Needed PLEASE
« on: August 08, 2007, 04:37:54 PM »
And no I don't need Toronto Lime scratchy mp3s

Angela - Tony Ricardo
Betty Goaty - Pengiun
Limbo - Carl and Carol Jacobs
Ah Coming - Mighty Power
What Sweet In Goat Mouth - Penguin
Soca In De Shaolin Temple - Blue Boy
Ah Tell She (Smoke Ah Watty) - Poser

 :beermug: :beermug:

CD is part of an Anniversary gift. Help would be appreciated.


Thank ya much  :beermug:

86
This story reminds me alot about the woman from Laventille who lost her 5 children to drowning some years ago. What was more hurtful about that story was the sight of the lifeless bodies just laying there on the shore....and the screams of the mother.

That visual still haunting me to this day.


Father of Trinis killed in US suffers heart attack
Kimberly Castillo and Peter Christopher
Trinidad Express


Saturday, July 28th 2007
 
 
Kenny Gopaul suffered a heart attack and collapsed at his South Trinidad home after learning that his children were killed in a road accident in the United States.

And the family of five of the six Trinidadians killed in the fiery accident in Virginia may have to wait as long as three weeks before they can bury their relatives.

Gopaul, 62, a mechanic who lives at Princes Town, was flanked by other relatives at his Ward 12 bed at the San Fernando General Hospital.

All he would say was: "I am not in a state of mind to give a comment."

Cousin of the five Gopaul siblings killed in the accident, Yasmin Mohammed-Mills, said the family members were told by authorities that the bodies would not be handed over until investigations were completed.

A distraught Mills said their family had been suffering and struggling to cope since they learnt of the accident that claimed the lives of their relatives.

Siblings Petrina 25, Anthony, 21, Rawlins, 16, Anderson, 13, and Jessica Gopaul, 11, of Bronx, New York, along with a family friend (not yet identified) were driving along Route 58 on Tuesday afternoon when their Honda Accord flipped a median and collided with a truck.

Eyewitnesses were able to pull Anderson Gopaul out of the wreckage before it burst into flames.

He died later.

Reports say police used a piece of identification found at the scene to contact relatives in New York.

"Our family is traumatised and it's only getting worse for us," said Mills.

Mills who lives in Pennsylvania said family had been pouring in from Trinidad to lend support since they learnt of the accident on Wednesday night.

Mills said the mother of the siblings, Pamela Ramharrack, has been in a state of shock.

"While packing her clothes to make the trip to Virginia, she was crying uncontrollably. Since the accident she has been busy organising the children's medical and dental records. Now for the authorities to tell her she has to wait as much as three weeks before she can bury her children, it's too much for her to bear," said an emotional Mills.
Mills said it was not unusual for the siblings to go out on long drives and stay at motels during the summer holidays.

She said the siblings were returning from a trip to North Carolina.

She said Anderson and his younger sister Jessica both had dentist appointments today.

Mills said the family was trying to come to terms with the tragedy.

"They were beautiful kids, polite, well-spoken and perfect angels," recalled a tearful Mills.

Ramharrack, a mother of six, has one surviving daughter, Salena Gopaul, 23.

The eldest sibling, Petrina Gopaul, leaves behind a husband and a one-and-a-half-year-old daughter.

Her brother Anthony would have turned 22 on Tuesday and Jessica would have turned 12 on August 19.
 

87
Entertainment & Culture Discussion / Flex, Palos and E-man
« on: July 20, 2007, 07:04:12 AM »
......Tallman hollin dey video cam

celebrating dey success ah SW.net

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0JNmD3AZt6U&mode=related&search=



if allyuh doh se meh after dis, PLEASE contact dey London Ont pow pow, ask for Capt Thomas and meh mudda.  :nailbiting:


jeffers ???

88
General Discussion / Gramoxone Big Seller Despite European Ban
« on: July 16, 2007, 03:44:05 AM »
Trinidad Express Newspaper
Ariti Jankie South Bureau
Monday, July 16th 2007

 
 
The number of suicides caused by consuming Gramoxone over the years stands out among the paraquat-based weedicide used for this unfortunate purpose on the Trinidad market.

Used by farmers to destroy grass and weeds from their fields, Gramoxone, when consumed by people whether intentionally or accidentally, causes almost instantaneous death.

Last week, Europe placed a ban on paraquat, the main ingredient in Gramoxone, which, it was said, resulted in a number of ailments.

Up to late last week, however, there was no word on the fate of paraquat in Trinidad.

It was noted though that many farmers depended on several paraquat-based weedicides to keep their fields clear of grass.

Agronomist Dave Seebaransingh said that Gramoxone was the most popular of the paraquet-based chemicals sold in Trinidad

"Grass is killed instantly when sprayed with Gramoxone," he said, explaining that farmers use the chemical mixed with water to spray their fields.

Seebaransingh said that Gramoxone killed plants instantly and was therefore used carefully by farmers so as to avoid destroying crops.

"Gramoxone is a restricted use chemical," he said, adding that there were more toxic chemicals on the market such as "lannate", sprayed on vegetables and food crops to kill insects.

Seebaransingh said that farmers chose paraquat-based weedicide because it was most effective.

Another product known locally as "roundup", which is free of paraquat, requires hours of sunshine before being sprayed on the grass. After spraying, it takes up to eight days for the grass to die, he said.

A 2.50 ml of Gramoxone cost $15 and can effectively kill grass on a 500 square feet area. The small bottle is used by householders to spray backyard gardens.

The products are sold by Neal and Massy Marketing and Distribution Agricultural department.

Managing Director of Caribbean Chemicals, Joe Pires, said that Gramoxone was the number one selling paraquat in the world.

"Gramoxone is an established brand name and it has been used locally for more than 30 years," he said.

Pires said that it was a class one product in the Toxic Chemical Act and farmers must be trained to use it.
 

89
Jokes / New Business
« on: July 07, 2007, 04:20:05 PM »
Two business men in NYC are sitting down for a break in their soon-to-be new store. As yet, the store isn't ready - - only a few shelves are set up.
 
One says to the other, "I bet any minute now some tourist is going to walk by, put his face to the window and ask what we're selling."
 
No sooner are the words out of his mouth when, sure enough, a curious fellow walks to the window, has a peek, and in a Good Ol' Boy Southern drawl asks, "What're y'all sellin' here?"
 
One of the men replies, "Oh! We're selling assholes."!
 
Without skipping a beat, the Good Ol' Boy says, "Well, I see y'all are doing really good-- you only got two left." 

90
Jokes / Little Johnny
« on: July 07, 2007, 04:17:48 PM »
At school little Johnny learns about medicines. The female teacher asks
the pupils what kind of medicines they know and what they are used for.

The first pupil said: Tylenol? Very good! And what is it used  for?
It is used for headache.

The second pupil said: Nytol. Excellent. And what it is used for? To help
you sleep.

Now it is Johnny 's turn and he said: Viagra' Johnny, What is it used for?'
I think it can be used for diarrhea. Who told you this?

"Nobody, but every evening my mother tells my father 'take aViagra, maybe
that little  shit will get harder."



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