THE EDITOR:
ROMAN Catholic Archbishop Edward Gilbert has now joined with fundamentalist Christians in calling for the retention of the Trinity Cross as Trinidad and Tobago’s highest national award.

But, as a sop to tolerance, the archbishop has suggested that another option of equal value be created for those persons who do not want the Trinity Cross.

Archbishop Gilbert, like all those who have put forward the suggestion of different-but-equal awards, fundamentally misunderstands what a national award represents.

A national award, by definition, embodies a status defined by citizenship (official or honorary).

Within that context, an individual may even receive an award in recognition of their religious or ethno-cultural work.

But they receive it, not on the basis of religion or ethnicity, but on the basis of their contribution to the nation.

We find it significant, too, that the American archbishop even suggested that an alternative award could cover both Hindus and Muslims.

It is as though he sees the world as divided into two kinds of people: Christians and non-Christians.

If, however, we start down this slippery slope of different awards for different groups, then everything will turn ’ole mas in short order.

Are we going to have different-but-equal national awards for Orissas, Jains, Buddhists, Eckists, Zoroastrians, Secular Humanists, Atheists, and Moonies, Scientologists and Sun-worshippers?

Contrary to Gilbert’s prediction, our Association believes that setting this precedent of divisiveness can only lead to further divisiveness.

Gilbert and others like him can obfuscate all they wish, but their reluctance to let go of the Trinity Cross seems based on their fear that such a move will be a blow to Christianity and the political power wielded by this one particular religion in this supposedly democratic society.

Those who are truly tolerant, and who want a truly cohesive society, will have no problem in accepting a neutral symbol as the nation’s highest award.

THE EDITOR:
I AM forced once more to write you concerning the spate of criminal activities in and around Chaguanas.

Reports are made to me on a daily basis.

Some businesses along Caroni Savannah Road, Charlieville, for example, have been held up at gunpoint repeatedly.

I have been told police do not even respond and when they do, it is the same old story -- no vehicle, no finger printing done, really the police seem to be powerless.

As I wrote to you previously, as an MP I am frustrated, what must I do?

Visit these people with the media as a PR gimmick and continuously say you and your government are hopeless.

Even the media do not report these crimes -- is either murder or kidnapping.

Mr. Minister you and your government have lost your way and the political will to secure Trinidad and Tobago.

Let us see some police activity in Chaguanas, let us see some real police work. Maybe if I march or walk to protest crime you will come and arrest me again, then we may see police in full force in Chaguanas.

Come on Mr. Minister -- wake up.

Chaguanas people are people too.

THE EDITOR:
IT always takes the people who wear jacket and tie to try and fool and insult the intelligence of some of us, thinking we are all a bunch of stupid fools.

It was between a lawyer and a doctor the hoax was established that Basdeo Panday was “sick” with a bad heart and therefore could not remain in prison, convincing the sitting judge to free him.

Another example that prison is not for the “high and mighty” in this country of ours, where the justice system, the judiciary and the Law Association are rotten from the head.

So Panday was released from prison due to his “failing health” and “bad heart”, but there he was, jetting off to Germany courtesy Jack Warner to witness the World Cup.

Football is a game that generates a lot of anxiety and excitement and if your heart is not good or strong enough, you could be risking death as had happened to two men here in Trinidad during the tournament.

However, he survived (fortunately), and so he took full advantage of his “freedom” by doing some globe-trotting.

For his return, the UNC as clannish and tribal as always, mobilised their supporters to come out in droves to meet the “Lord” -- in blind man country, the one eyed man is definitely king -- Basdeo Panday is a man who is usually buoyed by adoration and seeing this from his “disciples” (who all wanted to just touch the hem of his garments) was enough to energise him into making another foolish and reckless pronouncement that the people should resort to violence against the state as a means of support for the Chief Justice. (And not forgetting the old and beaten race card was used).

I, (and I’m sure many, many more like me) am not convinced that anything is wrong with Basdeo Panday’s heart as the doctor made it out to be, hence the reason that the “yes” people in the UNC executive are so desperate to have him come back into the fold.

His appearance at the meeting in Couva recently was an indication that he is considering such return.

He avoided making any appearance on previous platforms after his release, knowing he had no choice, considering “the state of his heart”.

Certainly, he will be much more relaxed and calm in prison, he would not have to be up late at nights on the political hustings, he will be served three square meals per day and not have to do any hard labour and I’m sure he would be well protected and looked after.

Therefore, what we are witnessing and hearing are definitely not the signs of an unhealthy man and should be returned to prison to serve the rest of his sentencing.

THE EDITOR:
I THINK it is high time that someone in authority do something with respect to the advantage taken by the Canadian High Commission of Trinidad and Tobago citizens, seeking a visa to enter Canada on vacation.

When we apply for a US Visa, we pay US $100 and if our application is successful, we obtain a visa for 10 years from the date of issue of the visa.

When we apply for a Canadian Visa, we pay (CAD) $150 and if we are successful we may get a visa for a period ranging from one to five years, depending on the mood of the Visa Officer.

What is more upsetting is that the visa does not extend beyond the expiry of your passport.

So, for instance, if I apply for a visa and my passport expires in three months, I still have to pay the full amount of (CAD) $150 but the visa would only be valid for three months.

Why can’t they operate like the US Embassy and give a standard period regardless of when your passport expires.

Needless to say, if your application is turned down for any reason, your money is not refundable.

We are currently going through a period where the Immigration Department is not issuing new passports at this time but granting two year extensions on your current passport.

Can’t the Canadian High Commission be a little more facilitating and accommodating to the citizens of this country?

No Canadian visa is required by residents of Barbados who wish to travel to Canada?

Why are we treated so harshly?

The headquarters of the Canadian High Commission in St. Clair is testament to the kind of money they are making off the poor citizens of this country wishing to visit their family and friends in Canada.

THE EDITOR:
I CRY shame on DOMA and the many Chambers of Commerce for failing to cause the present government administration to take appropriate action for the high volume of crime in our society today.

Yes, we could all look for various excuses and reasons why we cannot seem to curb the violence.

In other developed countries, big businesses have a strong voice in the government and some even say they are the ones that run the country!

In our given situation, serious-minded businesses in other countries would shut down the country until government accedes to their requests.

But then again these local businessmen are all beholding to the government in one way or the other.

Some communities have indeed purchased a ministry and this would not offend their representative.

As such, the incident on Charlotte Street, would soon become a “norm” in our beloved land.