Trinidad & Tobago - It’s hard to believe that the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago could ever look at the diametrically opposing forces of the Panorama and party on the Greens and say - “now that’s what I’m talking about.” It is hard to imagine the government officials, or CEOs of the companies that sponsor the toxic mix of the Greens and Panorama saying “I don’t mind if my grandchild - after hard work and study for a music performance in a National Championship - plays his/her heart out, but is nothing more than background music to a disinterested gathering.” Yet this is exactly what transpired at the event.
Another year has passed and the big Pan Trinbago-organized shebang on the “Greens” during the semi finals of the Panorama was apparently completed without incident - due in part to the reportedly heavy police and military presence.
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Total disrespect, that's the only way you can describe it. Remember what Bertie Marshall said on the Dalton Narine's documentary pertaining to Eric Williams' statement. " I'm not giving away the children money for some stupid steelband".
Well that contempt and disrespect is still very much alive today.That's the reason why we're not the sole producers of our own invention. That's why we had to go to international courts to try and salvage our own product, and the mentality still prevails. We must be the stupidest people on the planet, to have a precious diamond in our hands and spit on it then give it away.Right now I'm hearing the words of the Blackman Stalin in my head. "Bun dem".
The hardest thing to swallow about this ''GREENS'' investment by Pan Trinbago is that the Panman/Woman would not see A ....... CENT for all their HARD WORK and COMMITMENT to bring off Steelband's largest show in its 50th year. Where will the money go? NO ONE KNOWS.
Bertel: What do you mean where will the money go, no one knows? Kim Johnson just told you that it might just be going to upgrade the MERCEDES SUV ... is plenty pigs to snout in that trough you know. As you saw me and Cecil have been bouncing that GREENS ball around for over a year now and we knew that this semis was going to bring tears to the eyes of sincere pan lovers.
So the cries are coming a little late.
It is a disgrace that a party should be allowed next door to Panorama. That it should be organized by Pan Trinbago is an outrage. And to what end -- so Keith Diaz could upgrade his Mercedes SUV? Is nothing sacred in T&T? Is there no limit to people's short-sighted greed and stupidity?
Kim, thanks for posting this comment. I have openly opposed this (what I termed) "prostitution" of Panorama. The answers to your questions are: YES! That is the exact "end"; and:NO! Nothing is "sacred". Note, there are (self-acclaimed) "spiritual" persons (the ones I call: SNAKES), who promote this disgraceful disrespect of our culture. Luckily, George "Sonny" Goddard's GHOST is with us, and those who believe that it is not powerful, are in for a HUGE surprise this year! We have our people on the ground as we speak, and this will be THE LAST YEAR, that ANYONE, including (and ESPECIALLY, Pan Trinbago), will EVER be able to exploit the local WORKER of the STEELBAND/STEEL DRUM/STEELPAN INDUSTRY! This corporate rape of our culture has to stop! And, ALL those involved, will be held accountable. (Even if that means taking them to the industrial court.) Thank you, again, Kim, for your COURAGE in defending OUR CULTURE! (And, yes, I am pissed off! Quote me on that, SNAKE! You know yourself...)
GHOST - Who does more than talk. Stay tuned...
(Why you think, I've been "silent"? Not because of SNAKEMAN, that's for sure.)
'Tis a pity that the DJ's in the background of the Greens be allowed to continue their loud playing during the performances. It is so disturbing.
Ditto ! Nothing needs to be added to this piece.
My only request is that many more articles like this should flood the international media.
Too many individuals in leadership positions for which they are not ideally suited; Sacrilege !
A couple years ago these rhythm sections which are the driving force behind the Greens crowd were in the North Stands, and because these arrogant a**holes refused to stop beating their drums, etc. while Renegades steel orchestra was playing and IN COMPETITION mode, mind you, it messed with Renegades performance, and they did not go into the finals. People who are not interested in Panorama should not be there, if they want to party they can do so somewhere else. Pan people have one semi-finals competition per year. Parties are held year-round and have many venues. Steelbands pay money to give it their best, they pay arrangers big money, buy uniforms for their players in many cases, paint their instruments, purchase new ones or pay tuners thousands of dollars. This is an investment by many people for a competition, like any other competition. It is not a goddamned excuse for party people to mess with what is important to other people, and then bold-facedly say that they are not there for the competition.
Pan Trinbago, and Diaz should have been SUED and run out of town for sanctioning the behavior of the rhythm sections. instead the crap still continues. incredible. can you imagine during a cricket match, there being another event going on in the stands, messing with the batters' and bowlers' concentration, during national and international matches!!!???? Never happen! But this is Trinidad, anything goes. And it is the proverbial contempt for anything pan, held by many people who are empowered with decision making relative to pan, starting with Pan Trinbago, not every single person in the organization, but several. And let's not even begin to talk about the current "government" with several key members who would wipe out anything pan-related if they could get away with it .