2005 Year End Review

“Another fresh new year is here . . .Another year to live!To banish worry, doubt, and fear,To love and laugh and give!This bright new year is given meTo live each day with zest . . .To daily grow and try to beMy highest and my best!I have the opportunityOnce more to right some wrongs,To pray for peace, to plant a tree,And sing more joyful songs!”

William Arthur Ward quotes (American dedicated scholar, author, editor, pastor and teacher)

2005 has come to an end and what a year it was. Usually, at the end of the year, in any address, speech, or column I may be asked to deliver, I sum up what the year was in a review. However, on this occasion I wish to approach this year-end in a more philosophical manner. The actual year in review will come next week with a very comprehensive package of the year that was.

According to Bill Vaughn, American author, “An optimist stays up until midnight to see the New Year in. A pessimist stays up to make sure the old year leaves.” I want to think that most of us are optimists, and though may face a number of challenges, I am confident that as a people, we are resilient, resourceful, and capable of bouncing back.

By far the most exciting moment for me was our victory over Bahrain on November 16. Even more so than November 19, 1989, this country came together in a spectacular display of camaraderie that was never seen before. As I have said in previous articles, I acknowledge FIFA Vice President Jack Warner, the “Soca Warriors” and the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation for realizing the dream of this country qualifying to pay in a FIFA World Cup Finals. The only thing that bothers me really is the fact that the football package to Germany to see Trinidad and Tobago in our first round matches is in the sum of $30 000, excluding airfare. I am sorry, but if I am still to go to Germany, I will be sourcing a package out of the United States.

Another special moment for me was the completion of my Doctor of Philosophy in Politics. Although I can now be referred to as Dr. Morris, I prefer to remain the same old loveable, amiable character that everyone has come to know and love. In any event, a piece of paper cannot change who I am. It is a state of mind, and I am happy to report that I am of sound mind and body, for the while.

Writing for the TNT Mirror has also been a unique experience. It has allowed all of us to express opinions and perspectives that might have been “pushed under the carpet” for want of a better phrase. I would like to take this opportunity to thank my Editor, Swiedat Persad for giving me the freedom to explore a number of areas of interests during the year. To the rest of the staff, thank you for making me feel welcome and part of the team.

In terms of politics, although there was neither local government nor general elections, the air was ripe with controversy, bachannal and excitement. In May, we had the resignation of Franklin Khan as Minister of Works and Transport after he was summoned to the Prime Minister’s residence. In December, we had his resignation as Chairman of the ruling party also after being summoned to the Prime Minister’s residence. The common thread is that every time Franklin is summoned by the Prime Minister, a resignation follows. Let us hope that he is not summoned again. The only thing left is his seat in the Lower House. Manning, on the other hand does not have the testicular fortitude to demand that.

Franklin Khan’s resignation was the result of a very nasty race war within the ruling party that threatens to rip it by the seams. Haven’t you noticed that both Christine Sahadeo and Satish Ramroop have been marginalized, Christine Kangaloo is ill and Mustapha Abdool Hamid is a none starter to begin with. In effect, all the East Indians of rank have been marginalized. Look at it this way, both Franklin Khan and Eric Williams have been accused of accepting bribes yet, only Khan has resigned and is facing charges before the court. Either Indian people “cyah tief” good or the black man knows how to cover it up! Interestingly, only East Indians are being charged. Franklin should have stuck to taking money in a brown paper bag in some back street in St. James. Of course though, we assume his innocence and will not attempt to prejudice the case.

The subtle signal being sent here is that Indians are too “greedy” and will do anything to get money, whilst the black man has been taken advantage of and is being made to suffer. This could not be further from the truth, but I promise you my readers, more will be revealed in the coming year. De mark buss as they say, and it is all out in the open. Indians are nothing but pure window dressing in the PNM. That is a shame though. I think all people should be appreciated for the skills, talent, and dedication that they bring to whatever party they choose to belong too.

On the other hand, the UNC provided much entertainment for this year. Basdeo Panday has won the round once again, something I had predicated since Winston Dookeran had accepted the deal with Panday for him to be Political Leader whilst Panday occupied the post of Chairman. From then on, it was clear that Panday’s intention was never to give up power. Her Majesty will never allow it! Now, Dookeran is a real nice fella. I like de man, but the fact remains that he has to prove himself politically in the next year or he will be fighting a loosing battle.

I have been told that I have been declared persona non grata by some. Well, I have tried to present a fair and balance perspective of how things are on the ground. Who don’t like it could kiss my not so hairy ….. Do not get me wrong, personally I think that Panday, Dookeran, Manning and yes Ramesh are nice, decent people, but power has a way of (^&*&*y7^868) with people’s minds. More on that next week when I present my year in review.

In wishing you and yours a happy, productive, prosperous and safe New Year, I leave you with this from Virginia Satir (American Psychologist and Educator, 1916-1988) “Over the years I have developed a picture of what a human being living humanely is like. He/She is a person who understands, values and develops his/her body, finding it beautiful and useful; a person who is real and is willing to take risks, to be creative, to manifest competence, to change when the situation calls for it, and to find ways to accommodate to what is new and different, keeping that part of the old that is still useful and discarding what is not.”