THE EDITOR:
IS there some sort of a conspiracy by the local business community to frustrate and strangle Christian oriented projects?

I ask this question in light of my observation and experience over the past two years or so.

As the Co-ordinating Secretary for the Community Unification and Reformation Exercises (CURE) group I have, over the period sent out hundreds of letters to most of corporate Trinidad and Tobago, inviting participation and sponsorship for a number of projects.

With the exception of four or five, every other firm has refused to even respond.

Of the few that did, invariably their replies were that their budgetary allocations were exhausted.

From this response, my group began to send our applications/proposals out, in some instances, more than a year in advance.

This was to ensure that our requests were with the businesses before the start of their financial year.

Still, very little changed.

Most are yet to respond and the few who have are “unable to assist at this time.”

It should be pointed-out that the types of events in question are quite similar (sometimes even superior) to those that receive an obscene amount of funding from many of these same companies.

Other Christian even organisers have expressed similar experiences.

We have written to state fuelled companies such as TSTT, Flour Mills, FCB and the Unit Trust.

These together with Nestle, Dairy Dairy, CLICO, Western Union and Coca Cola, are among the leaders in sponsorship of sport and cultural events.

Nevertheless, although these and hundreds of others have been contacted, not one dollar of sponsorship money has been committed to any of these projects.

During that time several almost identical secular programmes especially by individual promoters have come on stream and received support, while we are yet to receive even an acknowledgement.

This situation is so widespread and so prevalent that it is difficult to accept it as mere coincidence.

One only has to check the newspapers or the electronic media to get the overwhelming and compelling evidence.

The costs of advertisements for secular shows are underwritten by members of corporate TnT while church oriented events are unsponsored.

Does this look like accident or is it by design?

THE EDITOR:
IN a Newsday article dated July 2, 2006, Page 3, the caption was “I saw Panday in CJ’s lobby.”

So what!

Give that there is an ongoing legal problem between the Chief Justice (CJ), the Chief Magistrate Sherman Mc Nichols and Basdeo Panday, what law prevents Panday from visiting the Chief Justice, purely on humanitarian or altruistic grounds.

The constitution of TnT, in it’s enshrined rights and freedoms, states that a citizen has the right to freedom of association and assembly.

This nonsensical argument has been pervading the masses for years, as though no one would one day question the validity of the law.

So, if, for the sake of argument, the CJ’s son is in love with Panday’s daughter, and there is a legal matter between both men, should the legal system prevent both parties from accommodation?

Utter nonsense!

Accordingly, Danny Montano (PNM) should not be seen speaking to his brother Robin Montano (UNC), a perfect case for Constitional Reform.

According to the article, it appears that an atrocious crime has been committed, because two people were exercising their rights.

Be it know that, at the ground level, supporters of both parties live, love and cry together, so who the hell are you.

A typical form of discrimination between the rich, poor and the political.

The Maha Sabha controversy, dealing with the radio license in a case in point.

Louis Lee Sing, a PNM cohort, gets anything he wants.

According to the media reports, Chinese and half Chinese seems to be the people who have the most brains and they are offered the most lucrative jobs, both private and government.

Africans and Indians control this country and we ask the question that whether, we cannot find competent Black people to do the jobs.

Next is the case of the CCJ, which, if the Maha Sabha case had been brought to them, the question is, “Would justice have been served?”

As it is at present in TnT we do not need the CCJ, similar to the FTAA.

We are definitely not mature enough to handle these situations.

THE EDITOR:
I WOULD like to comment on three extremely crucial aspects, concerning the lives of the general population of TnT.

They include: (1) The UNC turmoil (2) The Draft Constitution and (3) The issue of the Chief Justice (CJ).

On the first count, Panday must understand that giving Dookeran extra time is making him stronger and we may have to end up with penalty kicks, so what has to be done is to call a public forum immediately at Aranguez, and make a final decision.

The question is, “Which seat in TnT can Dookeran win, without the patronage of Panday?”

The Organisation for National Reconstruction (ONR) won more votes, but not a seat, the People’s National Movement (PNM) is the government, but the Opposition received 20,000 more votes and they talk about democracy, right Robinson.

Panday, you may have some shackles around your neck, but you are my leader and this is where we come to the constitution.

Two Draft Constitutions have been presented by the Principles of Fairness and the former President Ellis Clarke.

Where was the consultation by the people?

Do you know that we, the people want (1) A specific date for general election and not a back pocket date. (2) A constitution written in English and not legalese. (3) We need proportional representation, where every vote is considered, this is the epitome of democracy.

The world cabal has surfaced, but in reality the cabal is the principles of fairness, behaving like the Jews in America. This cannot work. On the issue of the Chief Justice, my contribution is simply, “What do you mean by charging the CJ for attempting to pervert the course of justice.”

This is like charging a person for attempted suicide, when suicide is death, and the person is still alive.

Would you like to ponder what would have happened if this case had gone to the Caribbean Court of Justice.