Stories about Trinidad & Tobago from October, 2008
Trinidad & Tobago: Building Walls
As the government of Trinidad and Tobago begins construction on a wall they say is part of a beautification project, but which many view as a tactic for hiding the squalor of a disadvantaged community, Attillah Springer says: “Build walls because, yes, this is what the nation needs. More division....
Trinidad & Tobago, U.S.A.: Eye on the Prize
“Let’s compare politics with sports. You’re in the home stretch. A smart athlete – a well-trained one – would keep his eyes on the prize and concentrate on running his own race. But what is McCain doing? Looking over at the other lane, more concerned about the competition than he...
Trinidad & Tobago: The Price of Progress
Maximilian Forte, writing at Review of the Indigenous Caribbean Center, posts a video of Trinidadian calypsonian King Austin's song Progress, which he calls “a critique of the ideology and practice of progress, from the vantage points of environmental unsustainability, exploitation, inequality, and the resultant social strife.”
Trinidad & Tobago: Book of the Week
Caribbean lit-blog Antilles picks as its “Book of the Week” Ian McDonald's Selected Poems, which it describes as “a long-overdue survey of the career of one of the Caribbean's most admired writers.”
Trinidad & Tobago: Not Adding Up
“Last month the record 2008-9 budget of nearly TT$50 billion was based on an assumed oil price of $75 a barrel. At the time, the price was well above that. A month later, it’s below $64. So even the richest economy in the Caribbean either has to make some serious...
Trinidad & Tobago: Divali
Both Haveworld and Trinidad Carnival Diary wish their fellow Trinbagonians a Happy Divali!
Trinidad & Tobago: Crime Watch
“Like any other country, we have a well-laid out and codified set of laws for the populace to follow. Of what good is our law however, when particularly in relation to serious and violent crime, we appear to have little success of apprehending and convicting those who break it?”: Trinbago...
Trinidad & Tobago: Carnival Crisis?
“Perhaps, finally, the scales may be tipping in the masquerader's favour”: Discover T&T Blog examines the potential impact of the global financial crisis on Trinidad and Tobago Carnival.
Trinidad & Tobago, U.S.A.: Artistic Obama
“I observed the poster designed by Obay, Shepard Fairley about a year ago…but I did not make that much of it. I assumed that it was just a few illustrators optioned to do some work for the candidate. Little did I know that Obama was becoming an inspiration…”: From Trinidad...
Trinidad & Tobago, U.S.A.: The World's Vote
“Would the world prefer to deal with McCain or Obama? The world, if you listen, is saying Obama. These are the nations and peoples that the United States trades with, makes policy with, and otherwise negotiates with. McCain has shown his politics in his campaign, smearing his opponents whenever he...
Trinidad & Tobago: Higher Standards
“When a few stupid women lower their standards, we all suffer…It’s time we learn from our animal friends and reclaim the power nature entrusted to us. Like the Alpha female wolf, we have to start to give sexual consent to only to the Alpha Male and snarl and bite when...
Trinidad & Tobago: Steelpan Goes Wii
The Trinidad and Tobago Computer Society is tickled that Instrument #29 on Wii Music is none other than the steelpan!
Barbados, Trinidad & Tobago: Bad Publicity
As news surfaces of another tourist attack in Tobago, Bajan Global Report says: “Whether minor or major, we just can’t afford the publicity on tourist attacks. As guests in our region, the onus is on us to safeguard their stay…and make their desired destination a safe haven to be in.”
Caribbean: Omar Rains Down
The Caribbean is officially in the midst of its wet season, but many regional territories are battling more than their fair share of sogginess, thanks to the torrential rains that accompanied Tropical Storm Omar - a storm that was soon upgraded to a Category 3 Hurricane as it forged a path through the northern Caribbean.
Trinidad & Tobago: Warriors Win
ttgapers.com and Discover TnT Blog report that the national football team's 2-1 win over the US “firmly puts us in second place in the Group A table…and takes us one step closer to the next round of World Cup 2010 qualifying matches.”
Trinidad & Tobago: RIP Email
Trinidadian blogger Taran Rampersad‘s email address finally kicks the bucket.
Trinidad & Tobago, U.S.A.: “Bushisms”
“Regardless of what people think of Bush he will be remembered for the war in Iraq and standing next to Tony Blair. But mostly he will be remembered for his famous nonsensical quotations…”: Blogging from Trinidad and Tobago, This Beach Called Life revisits a few “Bushisms”.
Trinidad & Tobago: Down in the Valley
“The warnings are there, too many to ignore…people better start waking up. Better rebuild their community parlours and their sou sous and their gayaps. In the panic of markets and the trillions of debt and the excess of luxury, countries like Trinidad and Tobago…with so much for sale, will suffer...
Trinidad & Tobago: Orchid-Mania
From Trinidad & Tobago, My Chutney Garden takes us into “the strange and wonderful world of orchids.”
Haiti, Jamaica, T&T: Thoughts on Haiti
Haiti Innovation wonders what's next for the hurricane-ravaged town of Gonaives, while Jamaican litblogger Geoffrey Philp focuses on a new book about Haiti.
Barbados, Trinidad & Tobago: Double Murder
Barbados Free Press says that the horrific double murder in Tobago “rings all too familiar with the recent events in Antigua. Barbados authorities must ensure that crime in Barbados is kept low to differentiate itself from the deteriorating situation in the rest of the Caribbean.”