THE EDITOR:
THE statement by Junior Minister of Finance Conrad Enill speculating that price gouging in the East-West Corridor is responsible for inflation seeks to misplace the blame for the current scenario on innocent hardworking individuals whose only crime is to make an honest living.

The minister could be no more wrong in his analysis and at the very least could lead to criminals targeting honest businessmen and women because of the perception that they are taking advantage of the situation.

As farmers, we in the National Food-Crop Farmers’ Association (NFFA) know all too well the obvious reasons for rising food prices during the last few years.

If government is to ensure that food prices are brought under control, policies must be designed to guarantee that farmers are given adequate assistance in times of natural disasters, that prime agricultural lands are preserved for agricultural purposes and that the integrity of food security is maintained through heightened and effective implementation of praedial larceny laws.

Consequently, the NFFA is calling on government to grant standard agricultural leases to farmers so that they may develop their gardens and have access to financial assistance for enhancement and extension of cultivation.

Particularly, the association is calling for the regularisation of farmers in Garden Village, Arouca, Bois Bande, Valencia and Trincity.

As for the preservation of prime agricultural lands, the NFFA is calling for a policy that would re-evaluate the construction of housing.

The association is also mindful that these lands, some of which are included at the possible aluminium smelter site in Chatham, South Trinidad, must be preserved for agricultural purposes. If our nation’s food security is to be guaranteed and food prices maintained at an acceptable level, government must desist from shifting blame to entrepreneurs and farmers and provide the necessary tools that would ensure that the cost of production is reduced, financial assistance provided, swift an adequate compensation allocated in times of natural disasters and introduce a policy preserving prime agricultural lands for farming purposes.

These are concrete suggestions for a real problem.

THE EDITOR:
A WISE leader who cares for his followers realises that true love must be capable of giving up his rights over them.

Even parents must know when to let go.

It was not possible for Louis XIV to keep his throne.

Holding on to it cost him his head.

It has been quite clear for some time that the majority of the United National Congress (UNC) leadership does not esteem Dookeran as much as he esteems his own leadership position.

His tenacity in trying to assert his position over a reluctant and rebellious majority has borne only the fruit of public resentment.

Now, if the executive succeeds in axing him, he will forever bear the stigma of a rejected leader who does not know when to give up.

And, if his own party rejects him, what will he expect of the electorate?

By his persistence, he has brought ignominy on his own head.

His flawed political judgement will now colour the rest of his career.

His tabanca must be painful.

But as a mature man he can overcome that hurt if he salvages some dignity by a prompt resignation and a good farewell address.

All is not yet lost, but it is three minutes to midnight and his carriage will soon turn into a pumpkin.

Hopefully a suitor will soon knock on his door with one of the many tokens he has left behind and make him a worthy proposal.

But it is now time to cut his losses and abandon ship before he is forced to walk the plank.

He should know that legal battles to regain his thistled crown will forever prove his callousness.

He has no alternative now.

The time has come to say a firm goodbye.

THE EDITOR:
I HAVE to say that I was extremely surprised when the Trinidad Broacasting Company (TBC) Radio Network descended into the pit of utter contempt for intelligence and honesty to stand shoulder to shoulder with Hindu Credit Union (HCU) radio.

Claims now of intelligent talk-shows and listening to the views of all now ring hollow.

I was less surprised when a weekly newspaper shifted to become a newsletter for everything Basdeo Panday and Ramesh Maharaj wanted to say, or feel like saying, or probably would say, but haven’t yet.

I was even less surprised when the office of the Leader of the Opposition was made a total mockery of, by the appointment of a subordinate to a national leader because internal disagreements could not be contained. The same executive of the Opposition party is now ruled by a man widely acclaimed as being the mastermind behind a massively corrupt rice deal.

Two of the more vocal persons on the United National Congress (UNC) executive, Jack Warner and Vashist Maraj, are also the most venomous turncoats who have relinquished any claim to character or respectability.

The other more vociferous UNC frontliner, Yellow Kello, only springs to life when he has to attack persons on his own side, but slumps down in his seat like a coward when faced with the PNM.

And this is happening while Trinidad and Tobago -- a beautiful, rich, independent and proud nation -- wastes away at the hands of a dictator who would not know equity and social justice if it sprang from a balisier and tongue kissed him at midnight!

Why? Because of two men … one of those men betrayed his party and the other betrayed his people!

Now, they’re best friends again.

That these two men can be allowed to hold to ransom, tens and perhaps hundreds of thousands of people, speaks little of where we have really reached in the scheme of things.

After all is said and done, I will thank God everyday that Canada accepted my application to migrate.

My departure papers is now safely in my hands, I can happily vow to leave this country and never, ever return.

WE make a fuss about Dan Brown

And the movie Da Vinci Code,

But daily on cable TV

There’s anti-Christian overload.

South Park on Comedy Central

Makes a mockery of every creed,

Religion bashing is their thing,

Gleefully sowing Satan’s seed.

Regardless if they’re true or false

Ideas are like seeds that we sow,

And if the ground is receptive

You can bet your life they will grow.

It is said we are what we eat,

And most doctors agree it’s true,

So should you feed filth to your mind

And hope it won’t do harm to you?

When “Family Shows” on TV

Glamourise promiscuity,

Portray fornication as fun,

Who dares advocate chastity?

When children become violent

Why do parents express dismay?

Who was it gave them the Game Boys

But don’t check on what games they play?

Mass media and communications

Provide Satan with lots of toys

Which are now popular playthings

Of little Trini girls and boys.

Small children have cellular phones

With access to the internet

Are parents checking the content

Of websites and emails they get?

Rude bwoy and ghetto behaviour

Are no longer seen as uncouth,

Bling bling, get rich or die trying --

The lifestyle and anthem of youth.

You cyar be a True True Trini

And eh know how to wine and jam,

So every Trini’s Holy Grail

Is the search for a nice bam bam.

Pornography is popular,

So it’s not difficult to see

How some make the transition from

Wining on a bumsee.

We celebrate obscenity,

Make role models of the uncouth,

So how come we can’t understand

The lawlessness of today’s youth?

But now that Soca Warriors

Forge this national unity,

We all go love one another

In this land called Sweet TnT.

Amen.