Trinidad & Tobago: Bloggers Discuss Warner & Cabinet Reshuffle · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

The Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago has been alluding to some major changes in government ministers’ portfolios for some time now; last night, details of her Cabinet reshuffle finally came.  Netizens have been sharing their thoughts on their blogs as well as on Twitter and Facebook: the most heated discussion appeared to be over the new appointment of former FIFA Vice-President Austin “Jack” Warner as Minister of National Security. (The country's crime situation is perhaps the most pressing issue facing the government at this time).
Trinidad and Tobago News Blog noted that:
Shortly before 8:00 PM [last night], the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Kamla Persad-Bissessar, announced the highly anticipated reshuffle of her administration. Two Ministers were fired and several others either received promotions or less significant portfolios.
Most significantly, Jack Warner, has been given the National Security Ministry, replacing Brigadier John Sandy.
Also replaced was Minister of Youth, Child Development and Gender Affairs Verna St Rose Greaves…
St. Rose-Greaves was at the helm of the ministry when this controversy took place a few months ago.  Political blogger The Eternal Pantomime called the re-arranging of the Prime Minister's Cabinet a “re-shovel”, and republished from “a kind citizen” a humourous list of “who should really hold the various cabinet positions” (appears here shortened):
Minister of NATIONAL SECURITY: A well trained German Shepard
Minister of FINANCE: A calulator
Minister of EDUCATION: The Mighty Chalkdust
Minister of FOREIGN AFFAIRS: Random Digicel rep draft
Minister of HEALTH: Any willing Dr. who has been forced to remain in the public hospitals for too long
Minister of HOUSING AND THE ENVIRONMENT: Papa Bois
Minister of JUSTICE: A parrot left in the UK supreme court for 6 months at a time
Minister of SPORTS: Former Soca Warrior Dutch coach Beenhakker
Minister of YOUTH, GENDER AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT: Cartoon Netwoork TV channel (80s and 90s reruns)
Minister of TOBAGO DEVELOPMENT: Miss Trimm (Of Miss Trimm’s Crab and Dumpling shack)
In another post, the blogger republished the text of the Prime Minister's speech in its entirety.  On Twitter, the reactions were almost instantaneous.
Journalist Lasana Liburd, whose online news site Wired868 was recently credited with “buss[ing] the mark about Warner’s ownership of the Centre of Excellence, complete with documents, on its website”, said:
@lasanaliburd: Ex-FIFA VP Jack Warner is the new Minister of National Security. (Insert wisecrack here)
…to which @BeyondThePitch responded:
@BeyondThePitch: Another sign civilization is doomed RT @lasanaliburd: Ex-FIFA VP Jack Warner is the new Minister of National Security. via @DavidLarkinEsq
Other Twitter reactions took the same tone:
@top5jamaica: Wonders never cease to amaze RT @FaeEllington: Austin ‘Jack’ Warner is the new minister of national security of Trinidad and Tobago
@sidcelery: Good God! RT @RobHarris Disgraced ex-FIFA vice president Jack Warner named Trinidad's minister of national security – @AP_Sports
@Lordhillwood: you couldnt make this up Jack Warner ex “Vice” president of FIFA who has a lot of vices is head of security in trinidad http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-lat …
…while @kstaw quipped:
WOW, we made the BBC. Let's hope Jack springs into action ASAP!!! “@BBCNews: Warner to head Trinidad security http://bbc.in/Oacp1h “