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As I was reading recent comments in the guest book relative to the crime situation in Trinidad and Tobago which I believe was ignited by an Express Newspaper article headlined, “Six Murders in Sixteen Hours”. It once again dawned on me that our country is not the paradise we project and as usual the questions began “flying” through my mind seeking answers to this dilemma.

A dilemma because, T&T has for the past decade and more been enjoying economical success, employment is at its lowest, all citizens have the capability to aspire for whatever their heart desires, the island people are generally friendly, and love to have a good time.  So then why all the hatred which result in these senseless murders?

Someone mentioned to me once that somewhere in the Bible it states that if the nation fails to punish wrongdoers, then God’s wrath shall be unleashed upon the nation for the blood of the innocent.  It was further pointed out to me that a particular group in T&T caused innocent lives to be lost and even attacked the nation’s highest office.  To date, this group is still able to enjoy the benefits enshrined to law abiding citizens and in some cases, members are given privileged treatment over the average resident.  I was also told that God works in mysterious ways.  Then I was asked if I can identify any group or organization which can be linked to many of the murders, kidnapping and robberies happening in our once peaceful T&T?

My spiritual advisor went on to tell me; it is one thing not to avenge the blood of the innocent due to lack of evidence, but to know and do nothing about it is willful disobedience  to the law of God and the penalty of which is his wrath.   He told me to pay close attention to those responsible for causing innocent lives to be lost and their relationship to the current tyranny.  Those who have eyes to see let them see and those with ear let them hear.

Spiritual discernment normally has no recognized place in governance of a nation, but as a people claiming to be God fearing and abiding, we owe it to ourselves to do that which we believe to be just according to God’s directive.  Pampering criminal elements is not of God.  Showing weakness to lawbreakers is also against his liking. 

The spate of lawless behavior in Trinidad & Tobago does nothing positive for our country and has to be stopped.  We cannot continue playing the lawful game with elements of lawlessness.  How can we play by the rules when they break all the rules?  Criminal elements must be eliminated whether right or wrong.  In these times of wanton behavior, tough measures must be advocated and not the pillow talk which states that crime will be reduced in three years.  The time to act is now.

And by all means, the mistake made by not severely punishing those responsible for causing innocent lives to be lost and attacking the highest office in our country, is more of a spiritual blunder than a political one.  Rectifying the blunder will return our nation in harmony with our creator.

When we are baffled by logic, we need to observe the spirit.  The spirit guides when man’s judgment fails.

A LESSON LEARNT

The phenomenal win by Barrack Obama in the 2008 election primaries of the United States Democratic Party, speak volumes for minority groups globally. I used the word “phenomenal” not to describe the victory margin, but rather the significance of such occurrence. There are many lessons which can be learnt from Mr. Obama’s approach to campaigning. However, I wonder whether those who are in need of such lessons will find the time to study it. I particularly refer to large groups of Afro Americans who always carry the notion that they are disenfranchised by the system.

Before I go on, I am not saying that the American system is equally fair to Afro American as it is to other minority groups. However, if people continue living with the belief that the system is against them and teaches their younger ones to believe the same, then we have generations believing that nothing can be achieved through the system. The result of which is constant rebellion by the affected class.

Barrack’s win underscores the point that there is no need for the repeated clichés of minority advancement and all the associated “black” rhetoric. He allowed people to see him for who he is; an intelligent young man with a big ambition to lead America through tangible change. He never distanced himself from his African roots. He has been to the “homeland” promoting development in various facets for people there. However, on the podium, he never made it a focal point.

My point is, you don’t have to forget who you are, but don’t keep the past as a stranglehold around your neck while looking for sympathy from others for what took place historically. That attitude gives the impression that you are looking to avenge what happened in the past.

Barrack Obama has shown that you can be accepted by all classes regardless of who you are. When the race for the White House began with the primaries, many did not expect him to get this far, not even his main opponent did and suffered as a result. Remember, she expected to win by mid February ’08 and encountered funding problem when the nominations went beyond her expectations.

It is my hope that the lesson being “displayed” is received by those who seem to have a perpetual belief that their future is sealed in a vacuum where non-acceptance and rebellion reflects the order to be established. I refer in particular to prominent “black” song writers/performers and movie makers who constantly dwell on inequality and use it as an impetus to support negative attributes associated with so called “black culture” like the bling, drugs, welfare dependence, senseless murders and so forth. Those who constantly sing/rap/write about guns, gangs and killing, should now realize that they are living a new reality and step in a new direction which promotes achievability rather than dependability.

Locally, the Radio and Party Disc jockeys, most of who believe that a “big” tune is one which promotes gangsterism or bad man lyrics, need to stand back and have a look at themselves primarily because the music they promote was born out of the same belief of disenfranchisement spoken about earlier. A similar culture exists in the island of Jamaica. Sad to acknowledge, for unknown reasons, some Trinidadians have adopted the same negative attitude by promoting gangster music.

If we as a people are to move ahead in a positive direction, emulating the “Obama” effect, negative elements are to be minimized and influential forces like owners of media houses must be more responsible, especially with content aired to the general public. They must understand their responsibility towards positive development. I chose to link the Obama story with the media influence in Trinidad & Tobago because it is my belief that music and other delivered media content has a profound effect on a society. While Obama is an individual and may have overcome the age old stranglehold, it may be more difficult for an entire nation to grasp the concept. This is why a deep lesson should be learnt by this progressive victory.

Denzil James

Quite often comments are made about how we are being treated by those in authority but seldom about how we are treated by our peers. We all talk about professional standards but most of us are not willing to raise the bar in order to provide a decent service for the community.

The reason I am writing this is because recently my car began malfunctioning and I took it to my regular mechanic. After making some checks and charged my account over $300, he was unable to solve the problem and told me to take the car to an auto-electrician to remove the gas tank in order to check the fuel pump. When I did this the electrician said that the mechanic is the person to remove the tank. This is only part of the entire story. I even came across one guy who said he can diagnose but does not repair. He stated this up-front.

At this point I decided to find any Point Fortin auto-shop which provides a complete service. This was when I realized that there isn’t any in Point Fortin. In this age of higher technology when almost (if not all) vehicles sold are computerized, our local repair guys still harbor the roadside repair mentally approach. Now I have to take my vehicle somewhere in San Fernando to get the job done.

As a community we need to be self sufficient in all aspects of our daily lives. The mentality we project will only serve to give those in authority a simplistic view of our people and their needs. Once we keep raising the bar we will be identified as a people with a purpose. If we remain simple then we may always be overlooked for preferred treatment. The desire for self development appears to be lacking throughout the wider community especially ………………..

It appears that only competition brings out some measure of advancement. Presently, standards are poor and deplorable. Just in case my case is misunderstood, I ask; in which auto shop can I get a complete computerized diagnostic checkup and necessary repair performed where I can feel comfortable leaving my vehicle?

This is an open appeal for tradesmen in their respective field to make the effort to provide quality, efficient service to our people. Begin raising the bar.

Once again we at Point Alive has to defend our integrity against less informed persons who for some reason seem to be having their facts misconstrued.

A few years ago there was in incident involving residents of Point Fortin where photographs being somewhat indecent, were circulated throughout the community. Once again, a similar occurrence is present and Point Alive would like to be distanced from the circulation of any such material.

This website, neither our parent company, Jamar Technology Services (JTS), has never and will never be responsible for assisting in any derogatory act to anyone especially our residents.

Just to state the facts, our office is located at 4 Adventure Road in Point Fortin, next to Belgroves Funeral Home. JTS provide Information Technology Services, however; WE ARE NOT A CYBER CAFÉ.

Without saying much more – Point Alive denounces any establishment which aids or abets the distribution of any such material simply for the purpose of “hustling a quick dollar” —- Nuff said.

On May 6th 2005 Mervyn Caton was shot within point blank range by police constable Sunil Tota-Maharaj. The shooting occurred at the “Togetherness Restaurant & Bar” in Egypt Village Point Fortin. Constable Tota-Maharaj was committed to stand trial before Justice Devan Rampersad in the San Fernando High Court for the murder of Caton.

During the trial, approximately eleven witnesses testified which included four eye-witnesses and two expert witnesses, a ballistics specialist and forensic pathologist.

The testimony of the ballistics specialist indicated that tests conducted on the firearm involved showed that the gun was in proper working condition and therefore did not malfunction.

The forensic pathologist testified that the angle of the wound sustained by Caton was not consistent with an accidental shot being fired.

Four eye-witnesses told the court that they heard Tota-Maharaj called Caton, then he placed the gun to his temple and an there was a loud explosion. Caton slumped to the ground. Tota-Maharaj then jumped into his vehicle and drove away leaving Caton lying on the ground.

Justice Devan Rampersad however, in addressing the Jury, told them that the main issue in the case was that an accidental shooting had taken. He told the Jury to consider that Tota-Maharaj was a good police officer who was never in trouble before. The judge also personally dismissed the testimony of the eye witnesses. At one point he was even corrected by prosecution attorney Theodore Guerra when he made a false statement regarding an earlier testimony.

What was clear in Justice Rampersad’s summation is that he had an apparent agenda to have Mervyn Caton’s killer walk free. In his address to the Jury, he mentioned the word “accident” approximately forty times.

At no point did Justice Rampersad ask the jury to consider the pain suffered by the Caton’s neither the life which was taken away without reason. His only focus was on Tota-Maharaj.

Sunil Tota-Maharaj is the grandson of Sat Maharaj who is the Secretary General of the Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha which is the umbrella body for Hindus in Trinidad & Tobago. His mother is a former Senator Virmala Tota-Maharaj. Both Sat Maharaj and Justice Rampersad lives in the same community……. Read between the lines.