I am a writer and media producer based in Trinidad and Tobago. Follow me on Twitter @JanineMFranco.
Latest posts by Janine Mendes-Franco from October, 2010
Caribbean: Hurricane Tomas
Trinidad and Tobago, the twin island republic that seemed to be directly in Tomas‘ path on Friday, was spared its effects, but as the storm veered north, islands that had previously been out of its path were suddenly thrust into storm warning mode. Tomas is now situated south-southeast of San Juan, Puerto Rico; the hope remains that the Category 2 storm, which is expected to gather more strength, will steer clear of Haiti.
Trinidad & Tobago: LGBT Community Speaks Out
Globewriter's Weblog says: “We have had this Ex-Gay minister here for a week and apparently the LGBT community has reached a boiling point…”; gspottt confirms that the community has had it with the “lying, ducking and hiding” when it comes to young people and their sexuality.
Haiti: Cholera Outbreak
Dying in Haiti says: “Port-au-Prince and its slums do not need a cholera epidemic. I can't hardly think of a worse nightmare. Haiti is beyond fragile at this point and the people are suffering more than I have ever seen.”
Guyana: Cyclone Approaches
Demerara Waves reports that “the densely populated coastland, including Georgetown and several villages, could be struck by strong winds, heavy rainfall lightning and thunder” associated with an approaching weather system.
Barbados: Rihanna Not Attending PM's Funeral
Barbados Free Press republishes the opinion of Barbadian blogger Kammie Holder, who says of Rihanna's inability to attend the late Prime Minister's funeral: “America has made her famous, but as a Cultural Ambassador with a diplomatic passport she also has a responsibility to her country.”
Trinidad & Tobago: Approaching Storm
aka_lol says that an approaching tropical storm “doesn’t look good for a population that had to put up with extremely bad weather for the rainy season and continues to weather the Clico financial crisis with desperate threats from formerly-rich policyholders.”
Cuba: Restricted Access
“In Cuba, access to the internet is restricted and very expensive for citizens, but it is also is controlled by state institutions”: Laritza's Laws explains.
Bahamas: Set a Better Example
The last time Weblog Bahamas‘ Jerome Pinder checked, things were “pretty grim” in the Bahamas: “If the behavior of our Parliamentarians is any reflection on us as a people, then you don't have to wonder why social values are crumbling around us.”
Cuba: Standard of Living
“Nobody on the island may have a high standard of living if it is not authorized by the regime”: Iván García explains that he “aspire[s] to live better. But above all [he] consider[s] [him]self a free man. And that is where a person can be dangerous in Cuba.”
Barbados: Another Fire
The Bajan Reporter posts footage of yet another fire in Barbados, saying: “Something is going on… Apart from Campus Trendz…in the last 21 days there was the Lighthouse in Silver Sands…Cafe Sol…then Sam Lord’s Castle…and now in Bridgetown with a business in broad daylight…is the DPP going to make a...
Guyana: Just Say “Hell, No”!
As Domestic Violence Awareness Month comes to an end, The Guyana Groove says: “It is time for every woman in Guyana to hold hands and in unison yell to the top of your voices at every single abusive man, ‘HELL, NO!'”
Caribbean: Perception of Corruption
Repeating Islands re-posts the results of Transparency International's latest Corruption Perception Index, and reports that Caribbean nations have not fared so well.
Haiti: Upcoming Elections
“Fanmi Lavalas (FL) is widely seen as the Haiti’s largest and most popular political party”, yet it is being excluded from the upcoming elections. Wadner Pierre reposts an article he wrote, suggesting that “the uncertainty that plagues over these elections can comprise the legitimacy” of the elected representatives.
Trinidad & Tobago: Divali
Repeating Islands notes that “it is once again time for the largest Hindu festival in Trinidad & Tobago, Divali or the Festival of Lights.”
Bermuda: Ahoy There!
Elaborate plans are afoot for the development of “a pirate-themed waterpark”; New Onion asks: “Who has deep pockets and is that bad of a businessperson other than the Bermuda Government?”, while Vexed Bermoothes says: “There has not been a well thought out business plan…there should be limited development on this...
Guyana: Entrepreneurship
“Tell a Guyanese that something can make money…right away, dollar signs does pop up and paste on to them eye-balls like in cartoons”: Guyana-Gyal has big plans for when she becomes “a Poh-Poh Magnate.”
Trinidad & Tobago: On Homophobia
Outlish suggests that homophobia “prevents us from maturing as a society, and taking responsibility for our actions, or the lack thereof”, while gspott urges readers to resist “the war on love”, here, here and here.
Jamaica: More Tributes to Isaacs
Regional bloggers continue to pay tribute to the late reggae legend, Gregory Isaacs, with Annie Paul noting: “Times like this you realize not just the breadth but the depth of Jamaican music…”
Haiti: MINUSTAH
An experience during a recent protest against the UN peacekeeping mission prompts Mediahacker to say: “Makes you wonder how ordinary Haitians are treated, day in and day out, in places where there are no cameras.”
Bahamas: The Time Is Now
Weblog Bahamas‘ Sidney Sweeting says: “The time has come to take the gloves off and let Government get real serious about crime in the country or everything else will be for naught.”
Trinidad & Tobago : Fix the Floods
The Undisputed Truth thinks it “laughable” that taxpayers’ money has been spent on things like summits “when we have such stupid problems, i.e. 20-30 mins of rain and the entire capital city is crippled.”
