THE EDITOR:
HOW can any high profile individual, particularly after a distinguished career as incumbent in the President’s mansion, publicly express a widely shared opinion on the excessive  power available to the PM, while simultaneously preparing a draft Constitution under which said office will become that of a virtual constitutional dictator?

It would be interesting to hear from Sir Ellis Innocent Clarke his explanation on the contradiction between his public utterances, which presumably reflected his own personal opinion, and his clandestine commission to produce a draft document, under which, if accepted, will multiply as Executive President, several times the power which an incompetent Manning is already abusing as PM. 

Sir Ellis was never taken to task for the inconsistencies and inadequacies of his first constitutional exercise. 

Since that earlier effort was drafted at the behest and influence of Eric Williams, nothing was, or needed to be, said.

There is, however, in view of its content, timing and the clandestine nature of his mandate, no such justification for Sir Ellis’ evident collusion with an incompetent would-be dictator.

Unless, of course, like a biblical Saul on the Damascus Road, Sir Ellis has had a revelation  in which Manning must have the additional dictatorial powers enshrined in his draft. If only so that the entire society may the sooner be driven over the brink to total and bloody anarchy. 

At least after that catharsis, T&T will be finally purged of Manning, his PNM, the corrupt and malign legacy of Eric Williams and fellow travellers, among which Sir Ellis begins to appear very much at home.

Alternatively, as a lawyer of long standing, it is entirely possible that his constitutional proposals are the result of Sir Ellis’ most lucrative “brief”. 

Simply put, it was an offer he could not refuse and as such it bears no relationship to his private convictions.

In such an event, Sir Ellis is doubly damned for selling out the nation, just as Judas sold out his Christ, for a few pieces of silver.

Whatever his motivation, the impact of his draft, if ever legislated, upon fellow citizens, remains an indictment. 

It is as well to remind him in his new found improvement on Presidential gratuities, that personal integrity, like public trust and affection, are neither of them easily replaceable --even in T&T. 

It is incumbent on every citizen to place the closest attention upon any and every expert analysis, such as that of Reggie Dumas, the Newsday editorial of 6/9/06, on the merits or otherwise, of the recently submitted draft Constitution and more recently, the views of the CRF.

Do not expect this level of honesty from the ruling dispensation which commissioned and paid for it.  

Never even in the darkest annals of Colonial exploitation and dictate have the rights, liberties and democracy of the citizen been so imminently threatened.

What Sir Ellis has submitted at Manning’s behest is nothing but a Trojan horse, contrived in collusion to rob us of all we have won since independence and much, much more.

THE EDITOR:
TO benefit from anything, one must look deep into the rudiments of life and place a substantial amount of faith in the Creator.

Now, not everyone might agree or interpret the Creator in the same way but, if faith is placed as a top priority, success will always be forthcoming.

Now to connect the relevance of the opening aspect of this article, I felt it was only fitting to relate to the amount of abuse that is present in our society today.

The will to survive has its place in the minds of all that surrounds these beautiful islands of ours.

Is it fair to describe a prosperous society as ours as one with little or no respect for our elderly, and the ones who are disabled.

The first thing that escapes our mouth is: check the powers that be.

This is so unfair because, if we are a caring society, then we must pay particular attention to our elderly and disabled, then the ones in authority will have no choice than to comply with the example set.

Our cubicles are filled with hypocrisy.

For far too long we as a society keep saying, do not expose the guilty ones -- how long with this disrespectful statement continue?

The time has come for some form of exposure to surface.

Stop the hiding behind the sheets of life, these sheets have to go.

The way our minds are programmed, sooner or later a solid form of hate will establish itself as the norm, and that will surely be hindering any form of progress.

It is absolutely necessary that the stigma attached to the negative implications be aborted as soon as possible.

Please let us look at ourselves, then at our children -- will it be a good thing to have our children treating our special citizens with no respect?

I hope not.

The old saying “what you put into something is what you get out of it” is so true.

If we feel global warming and HIV/AIDS is bad, stop and listen, disrespect to the elderly and the disabled is far worse.

I am a firm believer that collaboration between all is a must but, for some reason this aspect is lacking.

However, as was mentioned before, faith is the only way.

Love for our fellow human has to show itself once more in a tangible and meaningful way.

Whatever we do, do it until it satisfies you, let your heart feel justified on completion because, you never know, it could be your turn next.

To the ones who manage, start employing persons who care.

To the advocates, emphasise the importance of love.

To everyone, the elderly and disabled do not choose to be either.

It is important to remember at some stage, being elderly or disabled becomes inevitable, so let us change our attitude towards these ones.

Give them hope and support for life has continuity.

Let us not produce negative vibes, remove hypocrisy, and let the good in all of us surface to show the whole of Trinidad and Tobago a good image is not one of false disguise.

So to all, keep the faith and please remember we are all humans in the sight of the Creator.

THE EDITOR:
PRIME MINISTER Patrick Manning sometimes makes it difficult for even his strongest supporters to defend him.

 How could the Prime Minister justify hosting criminal gang-leaders for talks in the comfort of the Crowne Plaza while people protesting for better roads, such a basic amenity, are trounced upon by the Police and Army?

 Something is seriously wrong with this equation Mr. Prime Minister and I am giving ample warning that if, after attending Winston Dookeran’s Congress, I am convinced enough to consider supporting him, your actions will make it easy for me and many others like me to vote against you in the next election.

 This is beginning to look like State cruelty, Mr. Prime Minister, and your actions are making me wonder if the perceptions by some are true.

THE EDITOR:
RECENTLY, my mother underwent triple bypass surgery at the Mt. Hope Hospital and I wish to express sincere gratitude to the doctors, nurses and staff at Caribbean Heart Care.

Special thanks to Dr. Kamal Rampersad and Dr. Natasha Rahaman our point of contact, who with their friendly faces, warm smile and compassion, gave my mother the courage and strength to prepare for this surgery. The care given before, during and after surgery was impeccable.

I also wish to thank the hard-working nurses and staff at the Mt. Hope Hospital in the Intensive Care Unit and the High Dependency Unit, not forgetting the Minister of Health and the staff at the Ministry of Health, we are indeed grateful to all who have helped in one way or another to save her life with this surgery.

We always complain when things are bad or go wrong and so few times do we congratulate a job well done, so on behalf of my mother Mrs. Mamin Ramsumair, I say heartfelt thanks for this great service provided to her ... she continues to grow stronger with each passing day.