'Politicians must watch their words'

The Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Commerce, the country's biggest business group, said yesterday politicians needed to be mindful of the impact their statements could have on the country's international image.

The group said it was "deeply concerned" by National Security Minister Jack Warner's statement on Tuesday that crime statistics should not be revealed to the media, as an interim measure for curbing crime.

"We, however, commend acting Police Commissioner Stephen Williams for quickly restoring the balance between the constitutional power of the Minister of National Security to direct Government policy and the Commissioner's statutory power to manage and operate the Police Service, through his confirmation of the legal right of all to these statistics," the Chamber said.

Williams told reporters on Wednesday that the Police Service had a legal obligation to provide crime statistics to the public.

"The Chamber also welcomes the very timely concurrence by the Police Service Commission with the views expressed by the Commissioner. The response of these is critical in maintaining the expected openness, transparency and accountability required at this time. The ability of citizens to receive and have access to information plays an important role in citizen awareness and holding public office holders to account," the group said in a statement.

The Chamber said it agreed with Warner that sensitive information concerning murders should not be allowed to be used for the purposes of sensationalism, as this may ultimately cause a negative and perhaps distorted view of the extent and nature of the crime situation in the country.

reproduced from express Trinidad

Politicians Steal Spotlight in Olympians Motorcade.

In what should have been a day to celebrate our Olympic heroes, tuned out to be an event marred with political trickery and subtle public relation activities. On Monday the 20th of August, a planned Motorcade for returning Olympians was organised by Government to be held in Tobago. From the onset, politicians can be seen stealing the spot light of our teenage  Heroes. Politicians swarm the caravan in which the athletes were to be transported and some even rode in it as if it were their "time".  

Ashworth Jack Stealing the Spot Light of our
Olympic Heroes

Moreover, what followed en-route was grossly distasteful and disrespectful to our Heroes. Instead of Olympians meeting with people and signing autographs, it was over shadowed with gluttonous citizens competing without fail, swarming like bees to collect handouts distributed by the Government. Investigations would reveal that these gifts distributed were Mugs and Cups with the Prime Minister's face printed on them., disguised in a white box that bore the Coat of Arms. A total disrespect for the athletes and the country which is would celebrate its 50th year of Independence. Why wasn't these cups and mugs printed with our Heroes faces or printed with some symbol more  apt or mutual? The PP Government chose to use the achievement of our young vibrant heroes and make a mockery of it transforming it into a Public Relation Circus.

A Cup distributed by the PP Government in Celebration of our Olympic Heroes in Tobago

Ashworth Jack, Minority Leader THA
giving out Gifts during Celebrations for Olympians in Tobago

This is confirmation that they do not have these athletes' interest at heart. Rather it is their hidden agenda, to steal the spotlight and mascarade themselves all in an effort to gain cheap political points. This sort of 'tom-foolishness' should not repeat itself. If the day belongs to the successful athletes, let that be the sole agenda. Let the heroes bask in their moment, let them meet and greet people, let them sign autographs and engage in their photo op.  

Why make it political? why suck the blood of these athletes and ride their wave of success in a bid to wrongfully gain that which does not belong to you?

Celebrating our athlete's success does not mean the inclusion of political figures. it does not transform into political figures becoming band-wagonist and distributing anything political. Souvenirs should not be of political faces, nor bare political symbols or should not reflect any political agenda. Rather, they should be solely about the athletes, and their long journey to success. 

  

So given that we have the opportunity to come right on the 3rd of September, I hope that the Government would get it right this time. Hope that they would be genuine in their efforts of celebrating our heroes. Hope that our Heroes would be rewarded with the respect and treatment that they justly deserve. Till such time the eyes of Trinidad and Tobago would be firmly on you.