as seen on PNMG CNMG this evening... this was their lead...
as someone blurted out while watching... 3 months from July?... thats just in time for Elections... yes people we supposed to have Local Government Elections this year.. the 'Father of the Nation' Prime Minister Patrick Manning promised...
"Some Man Ah PLAY Number 2 TOO"
Ever since the COP's REAL RED Event in Woodford Square every politician has become an expert in estimating crowd size. The best so far has been Mr. Dr. Manning... I think that Honorary Doctorate really helping him out.
The first argument was on how many people attended (REAL Red) and how many people the Square could actually hold. NOW I myself haven't attended any of these events but I have been to the venues in dispute and I also have seen some big crowds. I won't venture into the numbers game myself but I think if the POLICE have their official estimate we should go with that.
The BIG winner in this controversy (so far) has been the UNC Alliance. They are claiming 45,000 at their Drums of UNITY event @ Mid Centre Mall Car Park, Chaguanas. Yes there were alot of people and I believe them when they say how many people were there because they know for sure how many people they Bused, Maxied and Taxied to it. It was a great exercise in mobilization. It was a great show of FARCE FORCE.
At Woodford Square the day before the PNM (Patrick) claims they had 25,000. Initial plans were to have 41,000 people... 1,000 from every constituency. Special sailing of the Fast Ferry from Tobago probably didn't have enough space for the 2,000 people. Mr. Dr. Manning also plans to ask tell the executive to make October 6th a special day on the PNM's calendar, a mark of respect for the bumper crowd they had. I wonder if the PNM under (a real doctorate) Dr. Eric Williams ever had such supporter turnout. I not old enough to know... or care.
Skinner Park saw the COP and they claim much the same figures as the PNM. Its also the same estimate the police provided for the REAL Red Event. This is why I say that the UNC are the big winners.
45,000! WOW! I think the last time I saw a crowd nearing anything like that (in Trinidad) was at the Queen's Park Oval. NO... Not for cricket. It was a concert featuring Richard Marx, Christopher Cross and Air Supply. Most of the stands were full and at least half of the playing field.
Another case where the numbers apparently can be skewed is during the screening process ala PNM. I don't know how they do it but from media reports that have been substantiated by other party members it has a formula of its own.
First off, were polls of the sitting MPs that sampled (in some instances) less than 10% of the electorate. STRIKE ONE!
Then came the actual cut of day for nomination papers. This was back in August... I stand to be corrected but I remember hearing Marcia Henville on Power 102 interviewing an activist from Morvant/Lavantille who wasn't able to be nominated because she didn't follow the correct procedure and have all her papers ready by the particular date. STRIKE TWO!
The final strike also deals with the nominations. Certain Nominees were rejected even though they had the support of 90% of the party groups of an area. Was it that the one or two groups that disagreed hold so much power? This also leads me to question how Amery Brown really oust Ken Valley if Valley was the only nominee? I tort nominations were closed? STRIKE THREE!
At the end of it all the only numbers that matter are the ones on Polling day. The PNM in Trinidad & Tobago have a history of getting approximately the same number of votes (by constituency) every election (claims of voter padding not included). When there is high Voter Turnout the PNM has problems. They Lose (1986) and even tie. Even though the numbers in the ties aren't as high as the Loss there is clearly a pattern. When enough people want change they have to make the choice to change by acting on it.
This general election promises to have a High Turnout... I mean the amount of disgruntled people I keep hearing.
I know I am going to exercise my franchise... for the first time too...
Don't forget... Local Government elections were postponed in 2006... when is that election gonna be?...
I heard a lil pice of conversation today and apparently the UNC Alliance is leaning toward naming Kamla as their leader. Mr. Cadiz was on radio this morning dodging the question of one single leader only trying to emphasise that the Leadership Council is a first in World Politics and that it works.
The belief in nominating Kamla comes from gathering the support of women voters. Apparently there have been polls to suggest this. Naming Kamla now neither strengthens nor weakens the UNC Alliance because I still see it as a ploy for votes from a damaged Alliance. Who is to say that if the UNC Alliance happens to win the general elections that the same said Council won't change their minds about leadership?
The Council at least realises that Mr. Panday for all his years of service to the country isn't what the people want. But this leads me to question the choice of Kamla... Isn't she the same one who endorsed Mr. Panday... will her leadership be HER LEADERSHIP? or will it be Bas' prompting?
this is just my take on my MACO... Jack is back in the country and they meeting right now in Emerald Plaza...
I've seen and heard this alot over the past few weeks with some people coming outright now ezpecially as PM Mr. Dr. Manning announced the election date. I have no problem with people announcing their intention. I find it very useful information. I also think it good that his constituents are supportive of him. I think that Manning should listen to them. No one else was nominated for the seat. So why wouldn't you want Mr. Valley?
The Express has a leading headline today that says the PM want Ms. Universe. It seems weird to me that a man who wants to be a pastor (and drive an articulated bus) would want to highlight someone who actively persued and had a child out of wedlock. Completely againts the rules of organised religion. Then again the PM understands that people make mistakes and can be forgiven. He can simply overlook this and see that Ms. Universe has something to offer the country.
PNM WANTS WENDY
Former Miss Universe tipped for Valley's seat
Anna Ramdass aramdass@trinidadexpress.com
Monday, October 1st 2007PROSPECTIVE PNM CANDIDATE: Former Miss Universe Wendy Fitzwilliam
Former Miss Universe Wendy Fitzwilliam has been tipped as one of the prospective candidates to replace Diego Martin Central MP Ken Valley.
Fitzwilliam, who is currently the Vice President/General manager of Evolving Technologies and Enterprise Development Company Ltd (E-teck) might be one of the "new faces" Prime Minister Patrick Manning spoke about at a PNM political meeting in St Augustine last Friday, it was learned yesterday..
If Fitzwilliam decides to fulfil any political aspirations, the election battle will become a Queen versus Queen scenario as former Miss Trinidad and Tobago representative for Miss Universe Nicole Dyer is an active member of the Congress of the People (COP) and also their public relations officer. It will soon be revealed whether Dyer will contest any political seat when the COP presents its slate of candidates.
Fitzwilliam won the Miss Universe Pageant in 1998 and later became involved in social work. She was honoured by the United Nations with the title UNAIDS goodwill Ambassador, a result of her commitment to fighting HIV/AIDS.
She also a holds a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree from the University of the West Indies and was said to have been doing a remarkable job at E-teck-a Government company mandated to develop Trinidad's non-energy sector through the creation of new industry.
Speculation of Fitzwilliam's candidacy is high in the political arena, "I have heard about it, and if it is true then it will be very interesting," Dyer told the Express yesterday.
The PNM screening committee-blanked Valley, the current MP for Diego Martin and a call for new candidates was made.
Valley was screened as the lone candidate for Diego Martin Central last Thursday at Balisier House, Port of Spain but, was given the boot one day later-on Friday, the day Manning announced that General Elections will be held on November 5.
That very evening Manning told a massive crowd at St Augustine that the PNM will be presenting new faces and future leaders of Trinidad when the party presents its slate of candidates at Woodford Square, Port of Spain this Saturday.
Members of the Diego Martin Central Executive have maintained their staunch devotion and support to Valley and were not surrendering to any "new face" for that constituency seat.
Sources told the Express that Valley who has been fighting for a second chance since a PNM poll rated him as a low performing MP will continue to battle Manning who is hell bent on shaking up and changing the party for the elections.
The party was non committal on Fitzwilliam's candidacy.
"Right now it's an internal process going on and we have no official position in that regard," said PNM's Public Relations Officer Jerry Narace.
"It's news to me" said Valley when told by the Express about Fitzwilliam's possible candidacy.
Valley said he had no comment to make on being blanked by the screening committee.
The Express tried in vain to contact Fitzwilliam yesterday.
Screening a sham, says Valley
Juhel Browne jbrowne@trinidadexpress.com
Monday, October 1st 2007God's plan: Kenneth Valley
Trade and Industry Minister Kenneth Valley has described his screening as the unopposed nominee for Diego Martin Central by the ruling's party's screening committee last Thursday was "a sham."
The PNM Diego Martin Central constituency executive was instructed by Prime Minister Patrick Manning, in his capacity as the party's political leader to find another nominee after Valley, the area's MP and PNM deputy political leader, was screened on Thursday.
His screening had been postponed for two weeks after he was referred to the PNM's disciplinary committee which eventually cleared him for screening.
"The screening was a sham and the question is whether my constituency does not have a legitimate right to have me as its candidate," Valley said in an interview with the Express yesterday.
He said that only the members of the PNM Diego Martin Central constituency executive asked him any questions during Thursday's screening as is allowed in the party's constitution.
"Not one member of the screening committee asked me any questions," Valley said .
He said the constituency executive's chairman said it only received Manning's instructions to find a new nominee yesterday morning, after reports on television on Saturday night and in the newspapers yesterday that he had been rejected by the committee.
"It seems the newspapers and the television stations were informed before the constituency," Valley said.
He said the constituency executive chairman told him that another of the PNM's deputy political leaders, Culture and Gender Affairs Minister Joan Yuille-Williams will be meeting them today at 6 pm.
Valley said he and his constituency held a church service yesterday morning and he "was at peace."
"When you see madness happening you try to see what is God's plan," he said.
Valley, the longstanding high profile PNM MP who has served twice as a Government Minister within the last 26 years said the controversy surrounding his screening would have repercussions beyond his constituency in the upcoming General Election.
"Somebody seems to have a desire to have the PNM lose the election and I would just stand by and watch. Of course, the party is not a man," Valley said.
He said he has not thrown in the towel and will continue to fight to become the PNM candidate for the Diego Martin Central for the sixth time.
"I will test all the processes of the party," Valley said.
He said the constituency executive had already informed him that they intend ed to again recommend him as its nominee for Diego Martin Central, despite Manning's instructions.
"As they have told me, they are going back with their candidate. It is up to the central executive. If the internal processes of the party will not work, the county will have to take note of what is happening," Valley said.
The ongoing controversy surrounding Valley's screening has led some to conclude that Manning just does not want him to contest the upcoming General Election.
On Friday, Manning said in response to a question from the Express that he had "no issue" with Valley and the issue merely involved an adherence to the PNM's screening process
"So at every stage there is an opportunity to do something different from what was done before," Manning said .
The PNM's constitution, however, gives the party's political leader a veto vote with regard to nominees recommended by any constituency executive.
PNM leader has veto
Monday, October 1st 2007
The PNM's constitution gives the political leader a veto vote with regard to the screening of nominees.
The document, which is available on the PNM's website, outlines the screening process as follows:
The nominees selected by Party Groups, and Constituency Youth Leagues shall appear as summoned before the Political Leader who shall be assisted by a - Screening Committee.
The Political Leader and the Screening Committee shall interview the nominees in consultation with the Constituency Executive or Executives concerned, which shall meet separately, before the meeting with the Screening Committee, to assess the Party Groups and Constituency Youth League nominee and determine which (if any) of the nominees will, in their opinion, be most acceptable.
The Political Leader shall not be bound to accept the recommendation of the Constituency Executive.
If, after consultation with the Screening Committee, the Political Leader considers the Executive's recommendation unsatisfactory, he may require the Executive to make a new nomination.
The Screening Committee shall comprise the following Officers of the Movement:
The Political Leader-Chairman
The Party's Chairman-Vice Chairman
The Deputy Political Leaders-Members
The Party's Vice Chairman-Member
The Lady Vice Chairman-Member
The General Secretary-Member
The Elections Officer-Member
The Public Relations Officer-Member
The Party Operations Officer-Member
The Political Leader, in consultation with the Screening Committee, shall make written recommendations to the Central Executive whose decision shall be final.
Well i should have known today would have been the call cause the PNM were rolling into St. Augustine... I think that's where Manning (the PNM) kicked off the last campaign... I stand to be corrected... doesn't matter anyway the BELL RING... time for the action to start.
Let me start by saying that the date shouldn't be a problem for any religious body unless it was falling on a religious hol(i/y)day. If you fasting you can still VOTE!
I would like to inform Mr. Dr. Manning that there are original peoples of Trinidad. While he was speaking tonight (28 Sept 2007, St. Augustine Hi-Lo Car Park) he misinformed his congregation of supporters that ALL of us, TRINBAGONIANS, were not the original inhabitants of this land. Mr. Dr. Manning I would have to make the assumption that you do not recognize the Carib community in Santa Rosa, Arima, as being Trinibagonian.
I have attended quite a few functions/cultural receptions at the Prime Minister's Residence, while you were Prime Minister, where these original (First Nations) peoples were invited to perform their rituals. Mr. Dr. Manning I would also have to assume that you weren't paying any attention to them at these functions.
I am not a Carib but a Trinibagonian and I would appreciate if you apologise to the Carib community and the Nation (Trinidad & Tobago) as a whole for this error. It was not the only inaccuracy in your speech but the one I thought most relevant to our Nation as you were talking about National Unity and bringing Cultures, Religions and Races together.
UPDATE: It seems that this has been a problem within the Manning administration. while scouring the internet on related issues i stumbled upon this post in another blog... Letter from Cristo Adonis (Carib, Trinidad)
The Manicou Report: Election Day in Trinidad & Tobago
other elections held on Nov 5th...
Nixon Wins By A Thin Margin, Pleads For Reunited Nation
1952: Landslide victory for Eisenhower
1940 President Franklin D. Roosevelt won an unprecedented third term in office, beating Republican challenger Wendell L. Willkie.
the following is an article from the Trinidad Guardian (Friday, September 28, 2007). The article, written by Yvonne Webb, was buried on page 24.
Joseph: Crime a major problem
National Security Minister Martin Joseph has acknowledged that the most serious challenge facing T&T is crime and violence.
He said it was the Government's main priority and measures were being put in place to treat with this issue.
He was speaking at a PNM political meeting in Fyzabad on Monday.
Joseph also cited a United Nations and World Bank report done in March to say that crime was a problem in the Caribbean.
He said:"The PNM did not need a document to tell us that. We knew that and the Prime Minister and Head of the National Security Council recognised that the first thing the Government had to do was to reduce the inflow of drugs and guns coming into the country."
The Government purchased three offshore vessels to partol the coastline, installed a 360 degree radar system and strengthened existing legislation.
He said:"There is an impression being given by those opposed to them that the PNM has failed to provide the country with the level of security and safety necessary.
"They have given you the impression that under the PNM we sat back and allowed crime and violence to escalate.
"They believe they could use that as an issue to remove us from government. We are going to show them that this is not the case.
"This election is not going to be a one election issue election," Joseph said.
He said while Government was not totally satisfied with the speed at which the reduction in crime was happening, law enforcement officers had noted changes and a reduction in major crimes such as murders and kidnapping.
Joseph: Crime a major problem (finally an admission)
