Topics

91

General Discussion / Happy Daddy's Day

« on: June 17, 2007, 10:25:52 AM »

To all the men who take on the responsiblities that are put towards them on a daily basis.
To those who "stand in" in taking care of the leaders of tomorrow...whether you are called; uncle, big brother, grandpa, teacher and mentor...

I want to personally wish you all a Happy Father's Day today and tomorrow...take the day off today 

Wish there were more of you out there.

92

General Discussion / Ah Could Ask Why ???

« on: June 03, 2007, 12:27:47 PM »

Police getting 20 new horses
-Julien Neaves
Trinidad Express

Sunday, June 3rd 2007
 
 
Next Saturday the Police Mounted Branch will be bringing in 20 new horses from Holland and there are plans to eventually have horses redeployed to districts throughout the country, reported branch Supt Mervyn Henry.

He said the horses each cost approximately 20,000 and 25,000 euro (between TT $172,000 and $215,000) and are high bred horses between four and five years of age.

They will be joining the branch's existing roster of 16 horses-five of them Canadian bred horses purchased in 1992-and the remainder thoroughbreds donated by the racing fraternity.

Henry noted that the new horses will be taller than their predecessors and, because of their proper temperamental habits, will be easier to train and less likely to kick or bite. He added that most of the horses are saddle broken, have been on the road and are already accustomed to traffic and people.

He said the training process should not take as long as a race horse, which has to be broken out of its racing mentality, or a "green" horse that is not accustomed to being saddled and ridden. The average training period is six months to bring the horses up to paramilitary standard.

Henry, speaking to the Sunday Express during a visit to the Mounted Branch at Long Circular Road, St James, showed the 20 new stables awaiting the horses.

The stables are enclosed with a grill to keep out pigeons and bats and is lined with wood shavings, unlike the existing stables which are open air and lined with grass. The new stables also feature an automatic water trough which turns on when the horse touches a red nob and shuts itself off when the horse is finished drinking.

Henry noted that when the branch was first introduced in 1906 the main purpose was as mail carriers to different districts. At one time there used to be an out station for serving summons and warrants if the terrain was inaccessible by bicycle or motor vehicle.

He said these responsibilities were eventually removed and the branch began engaging in community activities and patrols. Horses were stationed throughout the country, including parts of Tobago, East and South Trinidad.

He noted that in 1981 the branch was removed from out divisions and all the horses were brought to Port of Spain.

"When our strength is back up to mark we intend to put forward a proposal to have them redeployed to districts," he said.

He noted as housing areas are developing throughout the nation horses and riders would be able to patrol the outskirts of these developments.

The branch's other duties include crowd control and ceremonial escorts, and a number activities including school visits, therapeutic riding for disabled children and a variety of community events.

 

93

General Discussion / TURTLES IN THE THOUSANDS

« on: May 20, 2007, 09:45:25 AM »

Biggest nesting season in recorded history
Alan Geere Editor-in-chief
Trinidad Express

Sunday, May 20th 2007
 
 
 
^{MONSTER FROM THE DEEP: A giant leatherback turtle struggles up the sand looking for the ideal spot to lay her eggs on the beach at Grande Riviere.}

Look out! The turtles are coming and coming and comng...

This is set to be a record year for nesting leatherback turtles on the coast of northern and eastern Trinidad with as many as 7,000 females expected to come ashore.

On just one beach, Grande Riviere, conservationists counted 388 nesting on one night earlier this month and now expect this to surpass the previously unthinkable total of 500 laying females.

"This is an amazing year. The biggest nesting season on record. The turtles are big and robust and we are thrilled to see so many on the beaches," said Scott Eckert, a conservation biologist widely recognised for his pioneering research on turtles.

Eckert is director of science for the Wider Caribbean Sea Turtle Conservation Network (WIDECAST) and a regular visitor to Trinidad over the past 20 years from his base at Duke University in the United States.

"Trinidad is so magical. It has an incredibly well-managed programme which is one reason why the turtles are thriving."

The giant creatures, which can reach 180 cms in length and weigh 500 kgs, leave their natural habitat of the deep ocean to lay their eggs in the soft, warm sand of Trinidad's beaches.

With their strong flippers they dig a hole around 80cms deep and lay up to 85 round eggs, the size of a small orange.

Carol Philips of Diego Martin, visiting the beach for the first time, was captivated by what she saw. "It is a very humbling experience to see these magnificent creatures at close quarters. And to think that this has been going on for millions of years, puts us humans in our place."

Philips was also able to see the next stage of the process when the hatchlings scrambled up through the sand and set off on the dangerous journey across the beach to the ocean. These tiny young emerged around 60 days after the eggs were laid.

"I found a tiny hatchling-it was brown and fitted perfectly in to the palm of my hand-heading the wrong way up the beach. I picked it up and took it to the guide. He told me to face it in the right direction but to put it on the beach not in the sea as it needed to find its own way or it would not be able to return," she said.

With 6-7,000 turtles off the coast laying an average of six clutches of 85 viable eggs, just over three million eggs will be laid in Trinidad sand.

And with the survival rate of one in a thousand, 3,000 leatherbacks will make it to adulthood.

Nadra Nathai-Gyan head of the Wildlife Section in the Trinidad and Tobago Forestry Division is pleased to see 20 years of effort paying off in such a spectacular way. Previously, the species was threatened by poachers.

"This has been a genuine community-based conservation project," she said. "The patrols and guides are local people who are trained and accredited and the way the community has bought into the project has made it such a success."

The turtles can be found on beaches from Manzanilla in the east to Blanchisseuse in the north, but Nathai-Gyan stresses that everyone must have a Forestry Division permit before going on the beach. These are available from Forestry Division offices and the visitor centre in Grande Riviere.
 

94

General Discussion / Trinis Too Hypocritical

« on: May 19, 2007, 12:08:12 PM »

says Lucky

Anna Ramdass
Trinidad Express
Saturday, May 19th 2007
 
 
'BRAVE ENOUGH': Gillian Lucky


Pointe-a-Pierre MP Gillian Lucky has said that the Equal Opportunities Bill is being used as a "political football" in its flawed state as it does not address discrimination with respect to political affiliation or sexual orientation.

"What concerns me most in the Equal Opportunities Bill is that, in the 2007 bill, many of the issues raised by the Court of Appeal which pointed out deficiencies in the 2000 Act were not addressed," said Lucky, who was the guest speaker on Thursday at a luncheon hosted by the Central Port of Spain Rotary Club at Singho Restaurant, Long Circular Mall.

She suggested there was not a racial divide in the country, but a political one, as predominantly people of Afro-Trinidadian ethnicity supported the PNM and Indo-Trinidadians supported both Opposition parties.

"There was no protection for persons being treated differently for their political affiliation, the most important thing that divides us is not reflected in the bill," said Lucky.

She said the bill did not also provide protection for people's sexual orientation.

"That is an issue that people don't want to talk about in Trinidad and Tobago. They prefer to talk about Sir Elton John, whether he should come or not and many who suggested that he should not come not only attended the Jazz Festival in Plymouth, but I'm sure listened to his music and danced to it. That is the hypocrisy of Trinbagonians," she said.

Lucky said this was an issue that people wanted to sweep under the carpet, but she said she would be "brave enough to deal with it".

Lucky said the bill did not also provide protection for those infected with HIV, rehabilitative convicts, the elderly or the disabled.

Lucky said she recommended that the bill be sent to a Joint Select Committee of Parliament.

The bill is currently before the House of Representatives.
 
 

 

95

Entertainment & Culture Discussion / YUH KNOW YUH IS A TRINI IF.....

« on: May 18, 2007, 09:13:02 PM »

Someone sent this to me via email. It's a bit long but wha the hell...

* some I just can't shake off

You refer to all salt crackers as "Crix".

You recognize the names Dave Elcock and Rennie B.

You know the meaning of the word "obzokie".

You point with your lips...and you give directions with your hands... even  if it's in another state (yuh jus go up de road and when yuh see...)

You go to parties for the food... and the word free never quite had the same meaning.

You nod your head upwards to greet someone... and sideways when the joke stale.

Your recipe for making orange juice is plenty water, plenty sugar, plenty ice and only 2 orange... and "ah pak ah red kool-aid tuh stretch it..."

You say "boy" at the beginning of a sentence and "man" at the end of it... and the words "yes we" doesn't refer to any people...

You hate to wait in long lines, a habit you adopted from the days of pushing to get into "pit" to see a movie.

'Priority' doesn't have anything to do with what you have to do right away.

You always turn around when someone says "Psssssssst"... except for when you make out the person first and you're duckin' them.

You say "Soooo looooong" instead of "Yes, I'm done" when somebody asked you if you finished the job already ...even if you don't even know what job that person is talking about.

You have "knick knacks" all over your home... and a glass cabinet or a space saver to put them in.

You put ketchup and peppersauce on your pizza. Anchovies? Yuh lossin it or what? <stares>

You make a drink and ice cream with peanut butter but you never put it on bread with jelly... but you might put it on your dixie biscuits

You think eating salted cod fish and fried bread is a great morning meal.

Your cupboards are full of canned corned beef, pepper sauce and red beans and baked beans ...and a dry coconut for the pelau.

You think steak is a waste of good meat. You rather cut it up and stew it with some potatoes instead ... or curry it and make roti.

You use your finger to measure the water when cooking rice. .

You have shares in kool-aid.

You bring home food from a party. The word "storm" has nothing to do with the weather. .

You hate the saying "Today is a beautiful day" from someone who don't know where you came from. "What goin on these days?" and "I jus dey" mean "Hello, how are you?" and I'm fine" respectively.

You think your rum and Carib beer are the best in the world and you hate it when nobody heard of them ...and you'll probably have some in your cabinet at home...wherever you may live.

You put ice in your beer ...and you chew the ice when you're finished with the beer. Drinking wine is too sissy ...wine is for fruits.

You still say "Father Christmas" and "Old Years' night" ...and "dis August holidays" actually start in July. .

You show disappointment by sucking on your teeth (steupsing) ...and you can conjugate "ah steupse" by age four (three if yuh smart )

You still call a soda a "sweet drink" and an avocado, a "zaboca". .and you go to the shoprite clerk and ask them "whe allyuh have de breez?" meaning "where is the laundry detergent?".

You say "whappenin" even at a funeral.

You tell the host "Good Night" when you arrive at someone's home in the evening.

You wash the "wares" after having dinner.

When someone pays you a compliment, you say "Doh mamaguy meh". .

When someone sympathises with you, you comment "Yuh think it easy?".

You refer to all sweet coloured juice as "Kool-Aid".. .

You call a quarter a "schilling" when this really means 24 cents.

You know that using "blue" makes white clothes whiter.

Just because something is called a "bake" you don't assume that it indicates the way it was cooked. .

You have at least one relative living in either England, Canada, or the US. .

You either see, speak to, lime with, or hear about at least one of your "ex's" regularly.

You know that a washy-kong bears no relationship to King Kong.

You know about straightening, pressing, S-curls and Gherri curls regardless of your ethnic
background.

You have cancelled plans because of rain even when you're going to be indoors ...Rain is also a legitimate reason to be late for a rendez-vous... or to miss work.

You know someone with a gold tooth.

You know someone with their name either on their belt buckle or their chain.

All vaccinations are called injections.

You are able to recite at least one (or several) line(s) from Sesame Street.

You have been to at least one party where you have seen the sun rise.

You know someone named after either: flora:- Flora, Fern, Rose, Lily, Petal, Holly (B.)  or  colour:- Blackie, Blue, Pinky, Violet, Hazel or  maybe even a car:- Cressida, Nissan.

You know the meanings of: "washing wares"; "straightening a room"; "bodice"; "sucking yuh teeth"; "cut-eye"; "hot foot"; "bouff".

All dish washing detergents are called "Squezy". .

You still give people (youself included) "meggies".

A rubber is an eraser.

You know of at least one person who wakes up at 4am to LISTEN to cricket from Australia / New Zealand on the RADIO.

On at least one occasion you have: been told that you have a cold in some part of your anatomy other than your head or chest and/or had a virus named after something popular with the times eg.
Bionic, Ninja, the Hijab, the Hangman and the Sting.

Despite lack of interest, someone has tried to convince you of the benefits of taking a purge, or becoming a born again.

You can feel cold when it's 25°C.

No matter how old you are, you still call your parents Mummy and Daddy. <---no damn choice

You use baby powder. You still eat fries with ketchup AND MUSTARD.

You call fries "chips".

You pronounce words in plural, even though it's meant to be singular,  eg."gimme ah COKES" or "ah GRAPES".

You say "FLIM" (film), "AXE" (ask) or "PITIAH"(picture), "STATELLITE" (satellite), "CUTLASH" (cutlass). .

You know what "Wukking a 10-days" is, and know darn well it's going to take much longer than 10 days. .

You know the meaning of several Indian words, eg. "dahl", "bahgee", "channa", "bharra", "chunkae", "bowgee" and use them in every language ...and actually believe them to be the correct English terms. .

You know that a lime is not necessarily a fruit.

You call little kids "po po" or "betah" and your girl/boyfriends "daahlin" or "pungkin". .

You eat "wild meat" - stuff that some people keep as pets or may consider disgusting animals; like Iguana, Lappe, Matte, Tattoo (not the skin paintings) or Manicou.

You call any 'older' woman "Tantie" and any 'older' man "Uncle", regardless of whether or not they are related to you or even know you.

You could sing an entire Parang song in Spanish word for word, but don't speak or understand a word of Spanish.

You know who "Anansi" and "Papa Bois" are.

You can't bring yourself to using the correct "scientific" names of sensitive body parts because you think it sounds vulgar. Instead you use child-like words such as "tot tots", "totie", "bam bam" or "bumsy" and "tun tun" or "toonie". .

You love Soca and know the meanings of RAMAJAY and DINGOLAY.

When in doubt of how to prepare something to eat ... CURRY is the always the solution.

You know Trinis will curry any and everything (not just meat) even mango, fish, conch, chataigne, etc...

You can call your fellow "countryman" by an ethnic name and it would be ok, eg. chinee-man, creole, doegs, or pyol.

When you ask for PEPPER you don't mean ground black pepper.
 

96

General Discussion / Monks Help Fight Blaze

« on: May 17, 2007, 09:54:40 PM »

...Mount St Benedict saved
Stories by Kristy Ramnarine kramnarine@trinidadexpress.com
Friday, May 18th 2007



MONKS at the Monastery in Mount Saint Benedict, fire officers and woodsmen spent most of Wednesday night and yesterday morning trying to control raging bush fires, preventing what could have been the destruction of one of Trinidad's most historic buildings.

Using fire hoses, buckets, garden houses and even sand, the team had a tough task battling the flames which threatened the Monastic Building (where the monks live) and the church.

The fire, which started in the pine forest last week spread closer to Mount Saint Benedict, St Augustine, on Wednesday. Firemen were able to prevent Benet Hall-Top of the Mount, The Hermitage and the Astronomical Society Observatory, from being damaged on that day.

Mount Saint Benedict Abbot, John Perreira, said 15 monks live at the Monastic Building, which is located next to the church.

"Mainly the younger ones were able to assist," he explained.

"We were quite impressed by the fire officers who attended to the fire and would like to commend them for their work. They really did a good job in containing the fire."

Abbot Perreira said with the absence of rain and the high winds in the area embers can be ignited, so staff will continue to monitor the situation.

During the commotion the fire spread further East to the rear of the Pax

Guest House where staff there also spent most of Wednesday night controlling the fire with boxes, fire extinguishers and garden hoses.

"We tried to put a fire break in the ravine at the back of the guest house to prevent it from coming up," said Gerard Ramsawak, Proprietor of the Pax Guest House.

"It was very crazy because there were fires all over. Both appliances were fighting so many fires that they kept running out of water really fast."

Ramsawak said the fire was very close to the western side of the guesthouse.

"Everywhere was covered in smoke but luckily nothing was damaged. More of the monastery was affected by the ashes because the wind by blowing North East," he said.

Tunupuna fire officer, Mohan Sooknanan said officers spent most of the night on the Mount.

"There are walls right around the building so the fire itself was not a threat," Sooknanan explained.

"However people were being bothered by the thick smoke and ashes in the air."

Sookanan suggested efforts be taken by the administrators of Mount Saint Benedict to clean the surrounding areas of the building which make of the popular site.

"Approximately 25-50 feet around all the building should be cleared," said Sooknanan.

"The fallen dry leaves and branches help the fire to spread faster. If these are removes then the fire will be controlled easier."

97

General Discussion / Form One Pupils Beat School Teacher

« on: May 17, 2007, 09:45:49 PM »

Form One pupils beat school teacher
Anna-Lisa Paul alpaul@trinidadexpress.com

Friday, May 18th 2007




Four Form One pupils of the Valencia High School were arrested and charged yesterday for assaulting teacher Kayode James after he sought to correct a pupil who was using a cell phone which disturbed a class in progress.

The incident is said to have occurred shortly after classes began at 8.30 a.m. yesterday.

Reports indicated that the Form One pupil was playing music on his cell phone and was told by James that it was disturbing the class.

After repeated attempts to get the pupil to switch the phone off, James decided to take the boy to the principal's office.

The pupil, along with three others, allegedly began assaulting James who was battered, and left with minor cuts and bruises.

Officials at the Valencia Police Station confirmed that the four had been arrested and charged with assault by beating.

The boys, ages 13-15, reside at Sangre Grande, Arima, Valencia and Arouca, are expected to appear before a Sangre Grande magistrate today.

School officials have said this is not the first such incident to occur at the school, and added that the police have been called to the school on four separate occasions within the last month - for incidents of knife fights, and one case of statutory rape involving a female pupil and a taxi driver from the area.

Police officers were also called to the school last week after the computer room was broken into and equipment stolen.

Adding that "this is a school plagued by violence and disorder and a culture of lawlessness", officials said teachers were threatened and were afraid to correct pupils who continued to come to school late and without the proper uniform.

Officials said the school normally has three security guards assigned on a daily basis but that they are stationed to keep outsiders from illegally entering the premises, and following the number of incidents which occur, they are wary of getting involved.

When the Express contacted James regarding the matter, he said: "I have no comment."

While cell phones in schools have not been banned, the Ministry of Education introduced a policy document in February to regulate the use of these devices.
  

98

General Discussion / Stricken Former President ANR Robinson hospitalised

« on: May 17, 2007, 09:26:34 PM »

BY CAMILLE CLARKE

FORMER President Arthur NR Robinson was still warded up to yesterday, at West Shore Medical Hospital, after he suffered a mild stroke at his home in Ellerslie Park, Maraval.

Robinson reportedly fell ill around 10 pm on Wednesday, and was taken to the hospital by relatives.

Sources said family members had been at his bedside since he became ill.

Robinson was warded at the Southern Medical Clinic in San Fernando, in August, 2005, nine months after he underwent endoscopic surgery.

He reportedly had been bleeding from his urinary tract.

Robinson served as Prime Minister during the attempted coup by Jamaat leader Yasin Abu Bakr on July 27, 1990.

Robinson was then political leader of the National Alliance of Reconstruction (NAR).

His predecessor was the late President Noor Hassanali. President George Maxwell Richards is his successor.

Incumbent NAR leader Carson Charles said the party was hoping for his full and speedy recovery.

“He has made a tremendous contribution, and he can still make a contribution to the nation,” Charles said.

Claire Raphael, communications specialist to Robinson, was unavailable for comment yesterday.

West Shore Medical Hospital officials also declined to comment on the former president’s condition.
 
©2005-2006 Trinidad Publishing Company Limited
Designed by: Randall Rajkumar-Maharaj · Updated daily by: Sheahan Farrell
 
 
 

99

Jokes / The International Council of Manlaws, Ltd.

« on: April 16, 2007, 11:03:01 AM »

1: Under no circumstances may two men share an umbrella.

2: It is OK for a man to cry ONLY under the following Circumstances:

(a) When a heroic dog dies to save its master.
(b) The moment Angelina Jolie starts unbuttoning her Blouse.
(c) After wrecking your boss's car.
(d) When she is using her teeth.

3: Any Man who brings a camera to a bachelor party may be legally killed and eaten by his buddies.

4: Unless he murdered someone in your family, you must bail a friend out of jail within 12 hours.

5: If you've known a guy for more than 24 hours, his sister is off limits forever unless you actually marry her.

6: Moaning about the brand of free beer in a buddy's fridge is forbidden. However complain at will if the temperature is unsuitable.

7: No man shall ever be required to buy a birthday present for another man. In fact, even remembering your buddy's birthday is strictly optional. At that point, you must celebrate at a strip bar of the birthday boy's choice.

8: On a road trip, the strongest bladder determines pit stops, not the weakest.

9: When stumbling upon other guys watching a sporting event, you may ask the score of the game in progress, but you may never ask who's playing.

10: You may flatulate in front of a woman only after you have brought her to climax. If you trap her head under the covers for the purpose of flatulent entertainment, she's officially your girlfriend.

11: It is permissible to drink a fruity alcohol drink only when you're sunning on a tropical beach .. and it's delivered by a topless model and only when it's free.

12: Only in situations of moral and/or physical peril are you allowed to kick another guy in the nuts.

13: Unless you're in prison, never fight naked.

14: Friends don't let friends wear Speedos. Ever. Issue closed.

15: If a man's fly is down, that's his problem, you didn't see anything.

16: Women who claim they "love to watch sports" must be treated as spies until they demonstrate knowledge of the game and the ability to drink as much as the other sports watchers.

17: A man in the company of a hot, suggestively dressed woman must remain sober enough to fight.

18: Never hesitate to reach for the last beer or the last slice of pizza, but not both, that's just greedy.

19: If you compliment a guy on his six-pack, you'd better be talking about his choice of beer.

20: Never join your girlfriend or wife in discussing a friend of yours, except if she's withholding sex pending your response.

21: Phrases that may NOT be uttered to another man While lifting weights:
a) Yeah, Baby, Push it!
b) C 'mon, give me one more! Harder!
c) Another set and we can hit the showers!

22: Never talk to a man in a bathroom unless you are on equal footing: i.e., both urinating, both waiting In line, etc. For all other situations, an almost imperceptible nod is all the conversation you need.

23: Never allow a telephone conversation with a woman to go on longer than you are able to have sex with her. Keep a stopwatch by the phone. Hang up if necessary.

24: The morning after you and a girl who was formerly "just a friend" have carnal, drunken monkey sex, the fact that you're feeling weird and guilty is no reason for you not to nail each other again before the discussion occurs about what a big mistake it was.

25: It is acceptable for you to drive her car. It is not acceptable for her to drive yours.

26: Thou shalt not buy a car in the colors of brown, pink, lime green, orange or sky blue.

27: The girl who replies to the question "What do you want for Christmas?" with "If you loved me, you'd know what I want!" gets an Xbox. End of story.

28: There is no reason for guys to watch Ice Skating or Men's Gymnastics. Ever.

29: We've all heard about people having guts or balls. but do you really know the difference between them? In an effort to keep you informed, the definition of each
is listed below:

"GUTS" is arriving home late after a night out with the guys, being assaulted by your wife with a broom, and having the guts to say, "are you still cleaning or are you flying somewhere?"


"BALLS" is coming home late after a night out with the guys smelling of perfume and beer, lipstick on your collar, slapping your wife on the ass and having the balls to say, "You're next!"


I hope this clears up any confusion.

The International Council of Manlaws, Ltd.

100

General Discussion / Monumental Tragedy

« on: April 16, 2007, 10:56:22 AM »

Chief: At least 20 dead in campus shootings


CNN) -- The Virginia Tech police chief said at least 20 people were killed in twin shootings on the Blacksburg campus Monday morning.

"Some victims were shot in a classroom," Chief Wendell Flinchum said, adding that the gunman was dead.

"Today the university was struck with a tragedy that we consider of monumental proportions," said university President Charles Steger. "The university is shocked and indeed horrified." (Map of Blacksburg)

The attacks mark the worst school shooting incident since 1999 when Dylan Klebold and Eric Harris killed 12 students and a teacher before killing themselves at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado.

A hospital spokeswoman told The Associated Press that 17 Virginia Tech students were being treated for gunshot wounds and other injuries.

Sharon Honaker at the Carilion New River Valley Medical Center told CNN that four patients had been transported there, one in critical condition.

One person was killed and others were wounded at multiple locations inside a dormitory about 7:15 a.m., Flinchum said. Two hours later, another shooting at Norris Hall, the engineering science and mechanics building, resulted in multiple casualties, the university reported. (Watch police, ambulances hustle to the scene )

The first reported shooting occurred at West Ambler Johnston Hall, a co-ed dormitory that houses 895 students. The dormitory, one of the largest residence halls on the 2,600-acre campus, is located near the drill field and stadium.

Amie Steele, editor-in-chief of the campus newspaper, said one of her reporters at the dormitory reported "mass chaos."

The reporter said there were "lots of students running around, going crazy, and the police officers were trying to settle everyone down and keep everything under control," according to Steele.

Kristyn Heiser said she was in class about 9:30 a.m. when she and her classmates saw about six gun-wielding police officers run by a window.

"We were like, 'What's going on?' Because this definitely is a quaint town where stuff doesn't really happen. It's pretty boring here," said Heiser during a phone interview as she sat on her classroom floor.

Student Matt Waldron said he did not hear the gunshots because he was listening to music, but he heard police sirens and saw officers hiding behind trees with their guns drawn.

"They told us to get out of there so we ran across the drill field as quick as we could," he said.

Waldron described the scene on campus as "mayhem." (Watch a student's recording of police responding to loud bangs )

"It was kind of scary," he said. "These two kids I guess had panicked and jumped out of the top story window and the one kid broke his ankle and the other girl was not in good shape just lying on the ground."

Madison Van Duyne said she and her classmates in a media writing class were on "lockdown" in their classrooms. They were huddled in the middle of the classroom, writing stories about the shootings and posting them online.

The university is updating its 26,000 students through e-mails, and an Internet webcam is broadcasting live pictures of the campus.

The shootings came three days after a bomb threat Friday forced the cancellation of classes in three buildings, WDBJ in Roanoke reported. Also, the 100,000-square-foot Torgersen Hall was evacuated April 2 after police received a written bomb threat, The Roanoke Times reported.

After the Monday shootings, students were instructed to stay indoors and away from windows, police at the university said.

"A gunman is loose on campus. Stay in buildings until further notice. Stay away from all windows," read a warning from the university.

"Virginia Tech has canceled all classes. Those on campus are asked to remain where they are, lock their doors and stay away from windows. Persons off campus are asked not to come to campus," a statement on the university Web site said.

Copyright 2007 CNN. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Associated Press contributed to this report.

101

General Discussion / Racial slur on sofa label stuns family

« on: April 09, 2007, 10:17:33 AM »

This story making the news on the hour every hour.

I got a news paper clipping on a woman's comment. I'll upload it jus' now.


Mother had to explain to daughter, 7 origin of 'totally unacceptable' word on wrapping of furniture built overseas

Apr 06, 2007 04:30 AM
Jim Wilkes
Staff Reporter



When the new chocolate-coloured sofa set was delivered to her Brampton home, Doris Moore was stunned to see packing labels describing the shade as "Nigger-brown."

She and husband Douglas purchased a sofa, loveseat and chair in dark brown leather last week from Vanaik Furniture and Mattress store on Dundas St. E.

Moore, 30, who describes herself as an African-American born and raised in New York, said it was her 7-year-old daughter who pointed out the label just after delivery men from the Mississauga furniture store left.

"She's very curious and she started reading the labels," Moore explained. "She said, `Mommy, what is nig ... ger brown?' I went over and just couldn't believe my eyes."

She said yesterday each piece had a similar label affixed to the woven protective covering wrapped around the furniture.

"In this day and age, that's totally unacceptable," Moore said.

Douglas explained the origins of the word to daughter Olivia, telling how it was a bad name that blacks were called during the days of slavery in the United States.

"It was tough, because she really didn't understand," Moore said. "She'd never heard that word before and didn't really understand the concept of it."

Moore, who has a younger son and daughter, said she's heard the word used many times, although it has never been directed in anger at her.

"But it's a very, very bad word that makes you feel degraded, like you're a nobody," she said.

Moore said she called the furniture store the following day and three other times since, and feels discouraged that no one has returned her calls.

When interviewed yesterday by the Star, Romesh Kumar, Vanaik's assistant manager, passed the buck to his supplier, Cosmos Furniture in Scarborough.

"Why should I take the blame?" he said. "I'm a trader, I don't manufacture. I sell from 20 companies, maybe 50 companies. How can I take care of all of them?"

He said that he would check similar stock and make sure other labels were removed.

"That's terrible, that's a racial ... something?" Kumar said. "This is entirely wrong, but it's not my fault. It's my job to sell good product to people."

He said the best he could do is to give Moore the telephone number of his supplier, so she could take it up with him.

The owner of Cosmos Furniture, Paul Kumar, no relation to Romesh, said he was upset to learn packing labels on products he sold carried a racial epithet.

"I import my products from overseas," he said. "I've never noticed anything like that. This is something new to me."

He passed the blame to a Chinese company, but apologized for the labels. He said he would contact the furniture maker in Guangzhou and demand they remove all similar labels.

Moore said she's not sure she wants the sofa set in her home.

"Every time I sit on it, I'll think of that," she said.

102

General Discussion / RBTT sale to CIBC close

« on: April 04, 2007, 08:49:02 PM »

Agreement near

Layoffs expected in T&T and Jamaica
Canadian bank gets set to take over
Local shareholders to get $14 a share plus two FCIB shares

BY ANTHONY WILSON
Trinidad Guardian


DISCUSSIONS on the sale of RBTT Financial Holdings to the regional subsidiary of Canadian bank, CIBC, are very far advanced and a final decision on the future of T&T’s largest bank is imminent, sources say.

In fact, those sources insisted the Peter July-led board of directors has already taken a conditional decision to sell the bank.

The sale agreement is subject only to the completion of a due diligence exercise by RBTT on FirstCaribbean International Bank, the Barbados-based subsidiary of CIBC.

The sources also insisted the price that RBTT shareholders would receive had already been worked out and agreed, with the assessment being one-third of the value of the bank in cash and two-thirds in FCIB shares.

The Guardian understands RBTT is being valued at about $41 per share.

The RBTT shareholders will receive $14 per share in cash plus two FCIB shares. FCIB is being valued at US$2.15 per share or TT$13.54.

Sources said the valuation of FirstCaribbean was conducted by CS First Boston, which is the New York-based investment bank for which former Finance Minister Wendell Mottley works.

The value of US$2.15 being placed on FirstCaribbean is well above the US$1.63 per share the bank, which is chaired by Trinidadian Michael Mansoor, has offered to its minority shareholders.
It is expected that at the end of the transactions FirstCaribbean will have control over RBTT, both in terms of seats on the board and in terms of shareholding.

The pending FirstCaribbean acquisition of RBTT is expected to have minimal impact on the day-to-day operations of RBTT, sources said, but they added that the new foreign owners were unlikely to be sympathetic to RBTT’s overstaffed workforce.

RBTT employees in Jamaica, where FirstCaribbean has a large operation, are also likely to be affected as the acquirer seeks to derive “synergies” from the purchase.

FirstCaribbean was established in December 2001, as a result of the merger of the Caribbean operations of CIBC and Barclays, with each entity owning about 43.7 per cent.

Last year, CIBC completed the acquisition of the Barclays Bank stake, leaving it with a 91.5 per cent stake in FirstCaribbean.

‘Agreement reached after stormy meeting’

Sources insisted the bank’s board reached agreement on the sale of RBTT at an “often stormy” meeting late last month during which one of the independent directors—part of a group in disagreement with the sale—threatened to write a minority report, saying he disagreed with the decision and why.

Sources said July faced down the open threat of a minority report by saying such action would further weaken the bank, which has had flat results for the last two years.

Questioned last April on whether FirstCaribbean would be interested in acquiring RBTT as a result of a decline in the local bank’s share price, FirstCaribbean chief executive Charles Pink said, “I have no comment on that.”

The bank’s spokesman Debra Johnson has responded to previous queries on this issue by saying FirstCaribbean “does not respond to market rumours.”

Former Central Bank Governor Winston Dookeran declined to make a detailed comment pending the availability of information, but said the pending transaction is “not a purely commercial matter.”

What July said

In a statement to the Guardian Tuesday, July said, “While it is RBTT’s policy not to comment on market speculation or to disclose the nature of any commercial discussions, I confirm that RBTT has not, I repeat, not agreed to the sale of the bank or to a merger with any third party.” July referred to a November 2006 statement by RBTT “to the effect that RBTT has had, and continues to have, discussions of a strategic nature regarding its portfolio.

“Discussions of this nature have been ongoing for at least the past two years and continue.”

And the RBTT chairman gave the assurance that “if and when a transaction materialises,” the RBTT board of directors “will fulfill its responsibility to make an appropriate announcement.”

Sources said legally and technically July’s statement was accurate as the official agreement on the sale would be made following the completion of the due diligence exercise.

 

©2005-2006 Trinidad Publishing Company Limited
Designed by: Randall Rajkumar-Maharaj · Updated daily by: Sheahan Farrell
 

103

General Discussion / Nameless Bullies - interesting article.

« on: April 04, 2007, 11:37:33 AM »

Even Timid Can Be Nameless Bullies On Web, Forum told

Apr 04, 2007 04:30 AM
Trish Crawford
Staff Writer


Ottawa–The anonymity of cyberspace has made it the perfect bullies' tool so even timid kids, who would never throw a punch, join on-line aggression, Internet experts have told an international bullying conference.

"Anonymity is the catalyst for this behaviour," Cathy Wing, education director of Media Awareness Network, said.

Computers, cell phones with text and video capabilities and web cameras are involved and the bullying is done out of school and away from parental supervision, said Wing, in her address yesterday to 400 educators and students at the I Am Safe Conference. Her studies of on-line use found 60 per cent of teens pretend to be someone else, 28 per cent claim to be older and 23 per cent flirt with older people. This opens them to abuse and to the risk they'll bully those they dislike.

Shaheen Shariff, assistant professor of education at McGill University, said her daughter got a hate message that began, "You don't know who I am," and ended with, "Down on Your Knees Bitch." After contacting police, one of four boys involved confessed his computer was used. Children bullied on- line are those bullied at school, she added, based on racism, sexism, homophobia and bias against anyone "different."




Thoughts appreciated.

104

Jokes / U2 Concert

« on: March 29, 2007, 08:16:51 AM »

At a U2 concert in Ireland,
Bono, the lead singer,
asks the audience for some quiet...
then he slowly starts to clap his hands.

Holding the audience in total silence,
he says into the microphone, "

I want you to think about something;
every time I clap my hands,
a child in Africa dies."


A Trini in the front yells out,
"Then stop clappin yuh mudder ass."

105

Jokes / Only In Trinidad

« on: March 26, 2007, 07:43:29 AM »

And they say Trinis aren't innovative.....


Game Tickets                                                                             $500.00TT

Rum and Coke at Game                                                               $30.00TT

Empty Sun block bottle                                                                $0.00TT

Bottle of Rum in shop                                                                   $50.00TT

Enjoying the game while pouring a drink from a sun block bottle      Priceless
 

106

Jokes / Honey I'm A Little High...but I love the camera

« on: March 08, 2007, 08:28:58 PM »

Please note there is some measure of Nudity.

Only in Canada...

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

107

General Discussion / Hashing

« on: February 25, 2007, 07:23:35 AM »

No is nothing rude...
Another avenue for building self confidence and well toned legs...
http://www.guardian.co.tt/Womanwise/wwise10.html

with the occasional scrape

108

Jokes / Check dis Video - Jogo Bonita

« on: February 21, 2007, 05:04:26 PM »

Okay I didn't know where to throw this and ah go delete it jus now, cause i doh know if it somewhere else in dey forum...but allyuh help meh out little bit.

check out dis video and tell meh if one ah dem fellas remind allyuh bout somebody in here...
ah could be wrong as usual.. braces lips i talking bout #19 jerzzy.

and like dey dey forget to recharge dey battery cause dey video just done jus so...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NGuR9SnmpVQ&NR

109

General Discussion / VOTE nah

« on: February 20, 2007, 04:04:12 PM »

Carnival 07 almost done.
Who still foreign vex we not home in dey HOT sun and ah carib bottle between we lips (Dutty hush).
We had a little kaiso competition in Entertainment section. We have some blasted talented composers on the board.  Some of them could give Cro Cro a run fur he $250,000TT.  Allyuh give them ah little respect nah man..

VOTE
http://www.socawarriors.net/forum/index.php?topic=25241.0

110

Jokes / Fruit Cake Lady - RIP

« on: February 13, 2007, 01:54:29 PM »

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uSkuumT3f48

i have a couple of her clips but I don't know how to upload it here...
WestC 


********* the other 2

http://s157.photobucket.com/albums/t76/TCana/?action=view&current=Fruit-Cake-Lady.flv

http://s157.photobucket.com/albums/t76/TCana/?action=view&current=The-Fruitcake-Lady-3.flv

111

Entertainment & Culture Discussion / Mighty Duke music please

« on: January 05, 2007, 05:47:41 PM »

Folks ah looking for Duke music to put in meh collection
things like
No Prisioners
Tunder etc

also long time Kenny Phillp have a melody an kaiso jus right fur sweating aka exercising.
so if anybody to put dey hands on things item i would appreciate it

even if it require to be purchase...jus lead meh in dey direction.

thanks much.

112

General Discussion / "What kind of man are you looking for?" - FOR WOMEN ONLY..

« on: January 04, 2007, 09:20:09 AM »

In a brief conversation, a man asked a woman he was pursuing the question.

"What kind of man are you looking for?"
She sat quietly for a moment before looking him in the eye and asking,
"Do you really want to know?"

Reluctantly, he said, "Yes."

She began to expound....."as a woman in this day and age, I am in a position to ask a man what he can do for me that I can't do for myself. I pay my own bills. I take care of my household without the help of any man. I am in the position to ask, What can you bring to the table? "

The man looked at her.
Clearly he thought that she was referring to money.

She quickly corrected his thought and stated, "I am not referring to money. I need something more. I need a man who is striving for perfection in every aspect of life. "

He sat back in his chair, folded his arms, and asked her to explain.

She replied:
"I am looking for someone who is
1.    Striving for perfection  mentally because I need conversation and mental stimulation. I don't   
       need a simple-minded man.
2.    Striving for perfection spiritually because I don't need to be unequally yoked believers mixed
       with unbelievers is a recipe for disaster.   
3.    Striving for perfection financially because I don't need a financial burden.
4.    Sensitive enough to understand what I go through as a woman, but strong enough to keep
       me grounded.
5.    Someone who I can respect. In order to be submissive, I must respect him. I cannot be
       submissive to a man who isn't taking care of his business. I have no problem being
       submissive...he just has to be worthy.

God made woman to be a helpmate for man. I can't help a man if he can't help himself."
 
When she finished her spill, she looked at him.

He sat there with a puzzled look on his face.

He said, "You're asking a lot."

She replied, "I'm worth a lot."

113

General Discussion / Merry Christmas SW.net

« on: December 18, 2006, 09:15:21 AM »

The gifts and bright decorations will soon be put away.
Yet the love in which they're shared will continue to grow even stronger.
The words and songs, rituals and traditions will soon give way to other pursuits.
Yet the real hope that they express will live on, renewed again by the expressions of the season.

Christmas does not end when the gifts have all been opened and the feasting has been finished.
The story of Christmas is a story of new birth, of promise, love and hope.

This day is not an end, but a brilliant new beginning.
This day is an opportunity to open your heart to the best of all possibilities.

Though the years will pass and the seasons will change, time cannot erase the love and joy that live in your heart today.
So give your very best to this day, for its real value will always be with you.

Whatever else it may hold for you, today is a new beginning, an opportunity to move forward with renewed purpose. And that's a gift you can always treasure.

From my Family
To You and Yours

Just wishing you all a safe and enjoyable holiday - Good health and Prosperity in 2007.

Much love and Respect

TriniCana aka Sista Gert aka Rookmin aka MuFF PuFF


BE SAFE

114

Jokes / The Good Catholic

« on: December 16, 2006, 11:17:00 AM »

An elderly Italian man who lived on the outskirts of Monte Casino went to the local church for confession.

When the priest slid open the panel in the confessional, the man said, "Father ... During World War! II, a beautiful woman knocked on my door and asked me to hide her from the enemy. So I hid her in my attic."

The priest replied, "That was a wonderful thing you did, my son!  And  you have no need to confess that."

"It's worse than that, Father. She started to repay me with sexual favors."

The priest said, "By doing that, you were both in great danger. However, two people under those circumstances can be very tempted to act that way. But if you are truly sorry for your actions, you are indeed forgiven."

"Thank you, Father. That's a great load off my mind. But I do have one more question."

"And what is that?" asked the priest.

"Should I tell her the war is over?"

115

General Discussion / TRICKED!

« on: December 11, 2006, 10:53:11 PM »

Man fleeced of $20,000 in international lottery scam
Phoolo Danny-Maharaj and Barry Mohammed
Tuesday, December 12th 2006
Trinidad Express
 
 
Unsuspecting Trinidadians have been conned into sending thousands of dollars overseas in order to collect bogus lotto winnings, police said yesterday.

One man lost almost $20,000 last year in one of the scams, which was executed on-line through an Internet scam called the Australian Lottery.

The Fraud Squad, working in collaboration with Interpol and through the Attorney General's office, is now trying to bring an end to the scam, Senior Supt Glenroy Woodley of the Fraud Squad said yesterday.

The con started with so called on-line lottos that send e-mails or letters telling people that they won money, in some instances up to US$10 million.

This on-line con came from a group that called itself Fast Freelotto Automatic Subscription Ticket.

It asked the question: "Who is this man that just won $10,000,000 using FreeLotto's FAST Service?" and was signed by Kevin J Aronin, who said he was the on-line company's founder and CEO.

Woodley said they had received numerous reports from people, not only receiving e-mails of winnings, but also letters from international lotto companies promising winnings.

"These are all scams and the winnings are not real," he warned, adding a number of victims had paid money to have their winnings processed.

"Some people have been told they have to send money to process the cheque. A number of them followed the instructions and sent the money, then heard nothing again from the lotto company," Woodley said.

He said some people were asked to pay as much as £700. "Some victims actually sent up to $2,000 to have their million-dollar cheques cleared," Woodley said.

"There are many gullible people, who without questioning the issue decide to attempt to claim the prize, only to realise it is bogus. We have had many reports about the lotto scam, especially of an Australian lotto, which we are investigating. We advise people to be alert and do not give out their credit card numbers or any personal information to these companies."

A letter from an Australian lottery, which has been received by several Trinidadians, suggests that the information be kept confidential until the money has been delivered.

One of the victims of the Australian Lottery scam was a San Juan man who lost almost $20,000 last year, after he received a letter from the company telling him he had won.

To claim his "winnings", he first had to wire some of his own money to get it.

He made two payments to an address in Britain-one for $5,700 and another for $11,000.

He said in an interview yesterday that he was told by the con artists that to receive the money, he had to get an "Anti-Terrorist Clearance Certificate".

He never received his "winnings". He never got his money back, either.

Thousands of dollars were also spent on phone bills to Britain, where the victim said he spoke to people who claimed to be Customs and Immigration officials. The man said he had to do it because if he had not, he would have always wondered what might have been.

Checks on the worldwide web for internet lotto fraud revealed that it is big business. There were several sad stories of people receiving fraudulent notices with strings attached.

Dealing specifically with the freelotto.com, one victim said: "We had the same experience, about the freelotto.com. They keep sending a lot of messages and introducing us to play the freelotto. Then you must pay them back before you get your jackpot. I had won over US$75 million in freelotto. I knew it had to be a scam."

The police have warned that "you should be aware of anything that says you have won something without playing. Beware of it if you do not know the source and if you did not ask for it, get rid of it, it's a scam".
 

116

General Discussion / Muddas in law - by daughter

« on: December 10, 2006, 08:18:27 PM »

Question:

How many of you have a good relationship with allyuh mudda in law ?
and how many don't. Ah don't need to know why, ah just asking.

Ah want to know why muddas in law have such a bad reputation - reason why ah asking:

ah was talking to one ah meh boy friend dis morning and he telling meh how his mudda only interferring with this 'new' life with his 'new' wife. Now, i know his mother and I know his wife - infact if I was his mother, I and all woulda interfer cause his wife is ah money satan and ah ass (my opinion). His father and one of his brothers didn't attend the wedding because dey didn't approve. His mother, other brother, sisters and myself attended on behalf of the family - mind you the sisters was no part of the bridal party. It only take bout 6 months after the wedding that new wife and sisters in law break away (he took dey wife side). Once dat happen other brother break off too. So that left mudda still holding strong for she son.

whatever it is happen (i ain't get dey full story) dat wife tell husband she find dey mother calling too often and she want that stop. son went to talk to mudda bout it, mudda warn him bout wife, son tell he mudda in no uncertain terms to leave him alone, one ah dey brothers didn't like how he talking to mudda, buss he face with ah cuff, fight break out dat dey whole family had to part dem...he get ban from dey family, he tell dem to fluck off and datz dat.

now he on dey phone complaining to me why family (muddas in law) always interferring and why dey doh leave people to live dey life.  Allyuh ah jus listen and me ain't say ah word....

My opinion is, one family member "might" be wrong bout tings...NOT 5 or 10 ah dem wid the same opinion/issue. Granted it have some muddas who ain't letting go ah she boy child for no other woman to mind. Yet, when dem sense something wrong, ya hadda stiop and take note.  ah wrong

Muddas interfer with reason right

Gimme allyuh reasoning...ah listening

Now RedHowlie doh gimme no link eh - ah want to hear from you personally...and Hoe doh gimme nothing from no book eider. chit man

ah quote pop in meh head while ah was typing dis "wife/husband does come and go, but family remain" or something so it goes

117

General Discussion / pecan we dead - CJD fears in London, Ont.

« on: December 05, 2006, 03:40:36 PM »

CTV.ca News Staff


 
London Health Sciences Centre issued a statement on its website saying all surgeries and invasive clinical procedures at the University Hospital were cancelled Tuesday.

They took the precautionary measure after discovering a patient who may have the deadly human nerve disorder had undergone surgery last Thursday.

Officials say they were alerted to the possibility Monday night by a pathologist examining tissue samples.

Tests to determine if the instruments are contaminated by CJD are expected to be completed later this week.

Officials said Tuesday that they are still counting the number of patients who could have been in contact with the potentially tainted instruments.

The hospital has been following Health Canada guidelines on the sterile processing of instruments.

Hospital officials have also pulled reusable medical and surgical instruments and started a process to acquire disposable instruments and borrow instruments from other hospitals.

Officials sought to assure the public these measures were simply precautionary as the risk of infection is low.

"We are confident that we have contained the situation and that there is no risk to anyone who is arriving at University Hospital for care," officials said in a written statement.

Patients will be contacted to have their surgeries and procedures rescheduled.

A patient information call centre, which will be staffed between 7:30 a.m. ET and 9:00 p.m. has been established to address patient and family concerns at 1-866-313-5528.

Eating contaminated meat products has been linked to the rare but fatal variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.

Symptoms include slow thinking, difficulty concentrating, impaired judgment and memory loss.

Later, these symptoms may lead to severe dementia associated with self-neglect, apathy or irritability and prominent muscle spasms.

Patients may eventually become completely bedridden, lapse into coma and die as a result of infection associated with being immobile, such as pneumonia.

118

General Discussion / Allyuh Seta Scamps

« on: December 03, 2006, 08:59:28 AM »

Allyuh ain't miss meh ??

dey plane coulda fall out dey sky
ah coulda get kidnap
some stinky swed kill meh with dey odor
ah run way with dey chinee man ah see in montreal
ah end up in jail cause ah cuss ah pollice oman

and yet NONE ah allyuh 'so call' frien ain't even PM/MSN/email or even call tur find out if ah alrigh

seta ah mudda neckin people in here

COCO luv...ya is ah true frien girl...

now ah going and read all dem thread and laugh or most likely cuss before dey day down
let meh catch up on dey ta ta in here

ah gone


^{ah going and delete dis jus now}

119

General Discussion / Allyuh TriniCar-nadians Voting today ??

« on: November 13, 2006, 01:47:25 PM »

Vote fur Ann Marie Deicco-Best fur Mayor of London ON

120

General Discussion / the ricky martin in 2010

« on: October 24, 2006, 11:45:07 PM »

ah needed something tur laugh little bit today.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=paj1KMVRrb8&mode=related&search=