It has been said that a little knowledge is a dangerous thing; it has to be also true that a little power is a dangerous thing – as could be gleaned from the misguided, self-righteous muscle flexing of the Independent senators in the parliament. If there is need for constitutional reform it must be with regards to power being given as a gift on a silver platter to people who haven’t faced the electorate thereby receiving a mandate from the people to be obstructionist and dictatorial in the dispensation of their duties.
Senators selected and appointed by a constitutionally created Santa Claus is a contradiction of the democratic process which exists in reality only via the one man, one vote process, which is activated on the day of general elections. Most political scientists who dissect the validity of democratic process conclude that it is alive and functioning only on Election Day.
Technically, what this means is that the people have spoken and courtesy their vote they have decided who in the society should govern their country. It is thus a contradiction for a group of unelected persons to be placed in such a strategic position that they could, via their eccentricities, idiosyncrasies, egocentricities and general bias overrule and block legislation that the elected government wishes to pass in the interest of the country — especially with an overwhelming majority of the population agreeing to it in polls conducted on the matter.
But nine senators, well, six thus far, have assumed that they are the voice of this 1.3 million population whom they believe are incapable of rational and intelligent decision- making and so they, hot-shot intellectuals, who hold the franchise on wisdom, no, who, because they have dictatorially arrogated unto themselves the right to be the voice of the people must exponentially be the voice of god as well, must decide.
But while they assume a position of transcendental wisdom they claim that they can’t see why the bill must be passed, when the average Joe and Jane on the street could tell them if they got off their ivory towers and touch ground that crime so ravages this society that rather than give the drowning man a manual on how to swim, you throw him a rope, jump in and pull him out to safety.
All this alarmist talk of a creeping dictatorship in the making, of picking the pocket of the constitution to declare a state of emergency by the Government is nothing but empty pulpiteering thrown out into the wind like rhetorical confetti. It is meant to say we few, we band of brothers and sisters in the Senate are the guardians of our democracy; that you voted for them in the lower house, but we of the Upper House, we were not voted in by the rank and file lesser mortals that you all are, but we are the chosen ones, the hand-picked, touched by the hand of god…via his representative on earth, the President!
The irony of presuming to be the voice of God while playing the devil’s advocate is that you end up scrambling for logic in trying to defend your indefensible position. One moment you say you don’t understand why the Bill is necessary because some of you probably write Utopia in your passports for country of birth, and next you pull out of your hat Section 34, to try and prove that the Government is more dangerous than the criminals stalking the land.
All you are saying is what the private sector accuses the public sector of – i.e, you are spending valuable time on bureaucratic sesquipedalian verbiage just for the sake of posturing, just to try and prove to the constitutional reform people that you serve a valuable role in maintaining a healthy democracy, when for all and sundry (and the common man) you are really a bunch of procrastinating fiddlers, making a foolish attempt to prove that you earn your salary, don’t abolish us – even if Rome burns down while we make stand up theatre of the parliament.
A girl is dining with her father in a New York incident, when her father starts choking on a piece of meat; not knowing what to do but is determined to try and save him from choking to death, she scrambles up a knife at hand, rushes over to him, slits his throat, pulls out the piece of chicken, calls the ambulance which takes him to the hospital where he is stitched up and left to tell the story of his daughter’s bravery and quick-thinking action.
Senators, what would you have done in that emergency? Argued with yourself over the legality of slitting of your father’s throat seeing it not as a saving act, but as a stabbing crime?
You’re Invited! Hey there, residents of St. Joseph! Curious about how your community is doing? So are we! The UNC-St. Joseph team is eager to connect with you and learn more about your experiences. Join us for a walk through San Juan East this Saturday, April 20th, 2024. Look out for familiar faces like our UNC Coordinator for St. Joseph, Anil Roberts, our chairman, Amit Sooknanan, and the rest of our dedicated UNC Team. We’ll be hitting the streets and engaging with the heart of your neighborhood. Here are the details: Date: Saturday, April 20th, 2024 Time: 4:00 PM Meeting Point: Opposite the Samaan Tree Bar Whether you’ve got burning questions, suggestions, or just want to say hi, we’d love to see you there! Let’s work together to make St. Joseph an even better place to live. See you on Saturday! UNC-St. Joseph Team
We are thrilled to invite you to join us for an important meeting hosted by the United National Congress (UNC) as we gear up for the upcoming general election. Your presence and participation are highly valued as we strategize and mobilize for the future of our nation. Date: Monday, April 22, 2024 Time: 7:00 PM Venue: Williamsville Secondary School, Guaracara Tabaquite Rd, Williamsville We are honored to announce that the event will feature a special address by the Political Leader of the UNC, the Honourable Kamla Persad-Bissessar. Her guidance and vision will undoubtedly inspire and guide us as we embark on this journey. For those unable to attend in person, the meeting will be live-streamed on the UNC Social Media Platform, ensuring that everyone can participate and engage with the discussions.
You are cordially invited to join us as we commemorate a remarkable journey of the past and embark on the promising path to the future at the UNC 35th Anniversary, Interfaith Function, and Service Awards. Date: Sunday, April 28, 2024 Time: 1:00 PM onwards Location: UNC Headquarters, #31 Mulchan Seuchan Rd, Chaguanas This special occasion will be a celebration of unity, diversity, and service to the community. We will come together in solidarity to honor our shared history, embrace our differences, and pledge our commitment to a brighter tomorrow. Your presence will truly make this celebration complete as we reflect on the past with gratitude and look ahead with hope and determination. We eagerly anticipate your presence as we mark this significant milestone in the journey of the UNC.
Procrastinating Senate fiddlers
by L. SIDDHARTA ORIE
It has been said that a little knowledge is a dangerous thing; it has to be also true that a little power is a dangerous thing – as could be gleaned from the misguided, self-righteous muscle flexing of the Independent senators in the parliament. If there is need for constitutional reform it must be with regards to power being given as a gift on a silver platter to people who haven’t faced the electorate thereby receiving a mandate from the people to be obstructionist and dictatorial in the dispensation of their duties.
Senators selected and appointed by a constitutionally created Santa Claus is a contradiction of the democratic process which exists in reality only via the one man, one vote process, which is activated on the day of general elections. Most political scientists who dissect the validity of democratic process conclude that it is alive and functioning only on Election Day.
Technically, what this means is that the people have spoken and courtesy their vote they have decided who in the society should govern their country. It is thus a contradiction for a group of unelected persons to be placed in such a strategic position that they could, via their eccentricities, idiosyncrasies, egocentricities and general bias overrule and block legislation that the elected government wishes to pass in the interest of the country — especially with an overwhelming majority of the population agreeing to it in polls conducted on the matter.
But nine senators, well, six thus far, have assumed that they are the voice of this 1.3 million population whom they believe are incapable of rational and intelligent decision- making and so they, hot-shot intellectuals, who hold the franchise on wisdom, no, who, because they have dictatorially arrogated unto themselves the right to be the voice of the people must exponentially be the voice of god as well, must decide.
But while they assume a position of transcendental wisdom they claim that they can’t see why the bill must be passed, when the average Joe and Jane on the street could tell them if they got off their ivory towers and touch ground that crime so ravages this society that rather than give the drowning man a manual on how to swim, you throw him a rope, jump in and pull him out to safety.
All this alarmist talk of a creeping dictatorship in the making, of picking the pocket of the constitution to declare a state of emergency by the Government is nothing but empty pulpiteering thrown out into the wind like rhetorical confetti. It is meant to say we few, we band of brothers and sisters in the Senate are the guardians of our democracy; that you voted for them in the lower house, but we of the Upper House, we were not voted in by the rank and file lesser mortals that you all are, but we are the chosen ones, the hand-picked, touched by the hand of god…via his representative on earth, the President!
The irony of presuming to be the voice of God while playing the devil’s advocate is that you end up scrambling for logic in trying to defend your indefensible position. One moment you say you don’t understand why the Bill is necessary because some of you probably write Utopia in your passports for country of birth, and next you pull out of your hat Section 34, to try and prove that the Government is more dangerous than the criminals stalking the land.
All you are saying is what the private sector accuses the public sector of – i.e, you are spending valuable time on bureaucratic sesquipedalian verbiage just for the sake of posturing, just to try and prove to the constitutional reform people that you serve a valuable role in maintaining a healthy democracy, when for all and sundry (and the common man) you are really a bunch of procrastinating fiddlers, making a foolish attempt to prove that you earn your salary, don’t abolish us – even if Rome burns down while we make stand up theatre of the parliament.
A girl is dining with her father in a New York incident, when her father starts choking on a piece of meat; not knowing what to do but is determined to try and save him from choking to death, she scrambles up a knife at hand, rushes over to him, slits his throat, pulls out the piece of chicken, calls the ambulance which takes him to the hospital where he is stitched up and left to tell the story of his daughter’s bravery and quick-thinking action.
Senators, what would you have done in that emergency? Argued with yourself over the legality of slitting of your father’s throat seeing it not as a saving act, but as a stabbing crime?
Newsday
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