Opposition Leader: Hypersensitivity and attempts to dictate what are acceptable free speech
When it comes to public accountability and national integrity there is no sacred cow and I have a constitutional duty to raise valid questions in the national interest.
Everyone in our democracy has a right to freedom of expression. Just as some in society will agree with things I say, some will disagree, that’s just life. The hypersensitivity, cancel culture and alteration of the truth now being exhibited in opinion pieces in the media is cause for serious concern.
The hypersensitivity and attempts to dictate what are acceptable free speech and expression by opinion writers in the media are dangerous to open discourse and freedom of expression when it comes to uncomfortable and complex topics.
In fact, this type of autocratic and repressive behaviour being exhibited by opinion media writers when it comes to free discourse has no role in a free and democratic society such as ours. The truth is what matters. The truth must not be subverted, regulated, moderated or restrained to prevent hurt feelings and bruised egos.
Being politically correct, inoffensive, sensitive and diplomatic has now morphed to mean narrow-minded, cowardly, obedient and an aversion to criticism and opposing views.
I have no issue with criticism of my discourse, I welcome it as it can lead to very constructive advances, but it must be understood that I equally have a right to the same freedom to criticize the discourse of others.
In the case of the lying Attorney General, the public has a right to know the fact that the grovelling Attorneys who defended disgraced AG Armour’s lying during the special meeting of the LATT have all either received large state briefs or sit as Chairmen on state boards.
[Below is a list of Attorneys with state briefs and/or PNM state board appointments.]
The fact is, none of these senior attorneys who grovelled stated that they were in receipt of state briefs or board positions at the LATT meeting. Maybe just like their friend Armour, they all suffered memory lapses. Surely these grovelers didn’t deliberately choose to not state these conflicts of interest.
Merely pointing out that Armour’s friends have received state briefs and board positions from the Rowley regime have triggered defensive posturing and a ‘victim mentality response by some.
This only underscores the point that there are those who believe there should be one law for the people of our country and no law for the ‘eat ah food’ grovelling elite.
A strong and independent media is a vital pillar of democracy. The free media are supposed to be shocking, fearless, crass and unapologetically offensive in the pursuit of truth in order to protect democracy.
The opinion writers in our media should engage in serious introspection and desist from weakening the noble profession of journalism in order to appease the ‘eat a food’ aristocracy. They are doing a tremendous disservice to the actual hard-working journalists who every day go out in pursuit of the unadulterated truth.
To all the fearless journalists in our country, keep strong, be fearless, criticize, and accept criticism but never behave like these opinion writers who seek to restrain the truth to please any individual or group. Free speech and democracy depend on you all.
List of Attorneys who defended Reginald Armour who are either currently receiving state briefs or sitting on PNM state-appointed boards.
LIEMORE DEFENDERS |
BENEFITS |
MICHAEL QUAMINA
|
STATE BRIEFS [2015- 2021]- TT$3,918,560.00 RHA BRIEFS [2015- 2021] – $167,000.00 TRINIDAD PETROLEUM HOLDING LIMITED- CHAIRMAN PETROTRIN -CHAIRMAN HERITAGE PETROLEUM- CHAIRMAN CARIBBEAN AIRLINES- DEPUTY CHAIRMAN PERSONAL LAWYER OF THE PRIME MINISTER |
GILBERT PETERSON SC
|
STATE BRIEFS [2015- 2021]- TT$10,383,750.00 CHAIRMAN OF LEGAL AID AUTHORITY CHAIRMAN OF TATT LAWYER FOR PARIA- COMMISSION OF ENQUIRY FUEL BUNKERING CONTRACT |
RUSSEL MARTINEAU SC
|
STATE BRIEFS [2015- 2021]- TT$17,802,187.50
|
TERRENCE BHARATH
|
STATE BRIEFS [2015- 2021]- TT$794,475.00
LEGAL FEES FROM RHAS [2015- 2021]- – $690,755.29
CHAIRMAN OF ANGOSTURA
SELF PROCLAIMED FRIEND OF MR. ARMOUR
|
COLIN KANGALOO
|
PARTNER AT FITZWILLIAM, STONE, FURNESS-SMITH & MORGAN WHICH RECEIVED STATE BRIEFS [2015- 2021]- TT$1,192,665.34
BROTHER OF CHRISTINE KANGALOO- PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
|
RAVI RAJCOOMAR
|
STATE BRIEFS [2015- 2021]- TT$5,391,750.00
|
RAVI NANGA
|
STATE BRIEFS [2015- 2021]- TT$499,201.88
RHA BRIEFS- $4,812,869.96
CHAIRMAN OF WASA
|
ROMNEY THOMAS
|
BELONGS TO HOBSONS WHICH EARNED: STATE BRIEFS [2015- 2021]- TT$876,862.50
FORMER CHAIRMAN OF WASA
|
FARAI HOVE MASAISAI
|
PERSONAL LAWYER OF FOSTER CUMMINGS Millions paid from CEPEP FOUNDING MEMBER OF HELICONIA FOUNDATION
|
Kamla Persad-Bissessar, SC, MP
Leader of the Opposition
20th July 2022