By Martin Daly
TRINIDAD and Tobago is plunging downward right back where we fell in the mid eighties having gorged ourselves on the proceeds of the preceding oil boom.
A second round of energy sector riches have once again, in the famous Michael Manley phrase, “passed through us like a dose of salts”, but with one stunning addition.
The addition is a runaway murder rate.
My last two columns focused on the obtuseness of the statistical excuses that the Police Service gives us in its attempt to show that it is not failing us.
Acting Commissioner of Police Stephen Williams last week had the gall to tell us he should not be assessed “on murders alone” when his resignation is being called for.
Stephen Williams just does not get it.
We are not assessing the Police Service, of which he is the failed head, “on murders alone”.
It is on the daily murders coupled with the impunity with which they are committed, even right in front of a police station in the latest mark of police impotence, that we make the negative assessment.
Sadly, since the disastrous Manning PNM times when murder was dismissed as “collateral damage”, I have been highlighting the impunity issue as the one to which Governments must respond by a constitutional overhaul of the Police Service and by themselves abstaining from the goodies and campaign finance served up by the political leeches and the criminal element who are the devils in disguise.
Unfortunately, there is little resistance to the big pappy life that is enjoyed by means of these goodies and the unquestioning payment by the State of bills for feasts, premium drinks, travel, blue-lighted Prados and other lickrish appetites.
There is now weeping and wailing about the reckless abandon with which the State enterprise sector has supported the big pappy life.
The first of my unheeded critiques of the State enterprise sector was made in 2002.
Much of our leadership manhood is proven, not by progression to maturity.
It is vested in political sweetheart deals, concessions and consumer brands.
The political, professional, business and institutional oligarchy, whose manhood is apparently dependent on these things, has abdicated leadership responsibility and has recently been vividly exposed as lacking the moral authority to encourage restraint in trade union demands.
Even our iconic, indigenous creation, steelpan music, is now threatened as a result of the big pappy life, which requires State support for a cultural product, without accountability, without regard for declining audiences and without any review whether Panorama in its current form is still an incentive to musical excellence.
I will be setting off this week on an increased round of visits to the panyards for the Carnival 2017 season.
I hope to see more players, more spectators and to feel a livelier vibe than (with one or two exceptions) on my first visits last week.
It is three weeks to Panorama semi-finals and things should already be busy.
Sadly, there are reports that even some of the most famous bands are now struggling to obtain a full complement of players.
The money fight to preserve the status quo regardless of the economic circumstances of the State might end by mashing up everything.
http://www.trinidadexpress.com/20170121/editorial/the-big-pappy-life
Replies
Martin Daly, are you saying, your criticisms reach deaf ears. I cant even help yuh by saying "if dey dont hear dey will feel"--waste of time. The culture of doan care dam is deep and strong! the culture of ignorance is like cream topping! Wey yuh go do, man! Big pappy was Big pappy since the twentieth century! Leave me alone!. What a pity!
Ayesha, I believe it is having a more negative impact on the society today.
Ordinary VIP, VIP and Ultra VIP is the reason for the season. Corruption, Guns, Drugs and Murder is how we roll. A SAD STORY.
Well done Martin Daly...this could not have been said in a better way, the facts speak for themselves
The COLD TRUTH, odw!!!
Farmer Nappy - "Big People Party" (Official HD Video)