The Caribbean Blogger

If You Cannot Articulate Your Business Model, Your Business Will Most Likely Not Survive

2013-05-10T08:33:00.001-04:00

Only A Few Businesses Are Using This

Imagine this!

What if you had a simple tool that can help you plan and manage every aspect of your business?

A process that is so transparent and easy to use that businesses globally (25 cities in different countries) have started to adopt it.

It simplifies the business building process for the small startup companies as well as large corporations. Imagine having a visual planning tool that takes an instant snap shot of your business.

A tool that you can use to test your ideas, increase your effectiveness and profitability.

This tool is the result of countless hours of research and design. It took over one hundred and fifty expert business people to fine tune it so that anyone could understand how it works. The workshop shows you how to bring clarity to the following question?

Who are your real customers?
What exactly do they need?
What specific value do you provide them?
How do you manage your relationship with them?
What key resources do you have to meet their needs?
How do you distribute your products/services?
What does it all costs?
How can you add revenue streams?

Can you see the value in being able to answer these questions? I’m assuming that as a business you are searching for a solution.

Here is a no-risk opportunity to find out if this is your solution .

You’re a business owner now and it does not matter if you attended a high prestige school, a renowned business school with an MBA or you’re the CEO of the largest corporation in the Trinidad, this tool will work for your business. Join the training before all spaces are filled.

Click below to watch a quick video and sign up for the live workshop if you live in Trinidad.

Business Model Generation Workshop

The Largest Collection of Online Photos of Trinindad & Tobago

2013-04-08T12:06:00.000-04:00

This just had to be shared

I came across the largest selection of nostalgic picture of the people and places in Trinidad and Tobago. These are from the times of the Yankees, there is even a picture of the document that abolished the slave trade in Trinidad. Lots of pictures, hop over there now and take a look if you like

Go Here

Mr. Khan - Get Off Your Fat Ass And Do Your Job

2013-04-02T10:51:00.001-04:00

The Health Minister is Failing

A group of Trini youths, Youth Voices Magazine" are becoming increasingly concerned about the affects of non-communicable diseases in T&T. They see, like we all can our government's attitude towards the future health of Trinidad and Tobago.

In the past I posted about this topic October 2011, "Can The UN World Summit Save 1000s of Lives In T&T?" There were some sobering facts on the condition of the Health Care System in T&T. What is Trinidad & Tobago's government's position with respect to addressing the national health care issues?

The reality is that the question is being answered now by the current Minister of Health, Fuad Khan. He seems to think that his position in the government is one of an advocate for change. He does not see himself as an initiator of change. He has been making some very concerning announcements with regards to his approach or remedies to the situation. He is letting the population know what the government's position is to put the blame squarely on the shoulders of the consumers. He's right, the individual is ultimately to blame for the state of his own health. Here's his position on working with manufacturers and importers.

Maybe the resources are not available for him to deal with issues like the lack of beds, essential medical equipment and human resources. Although that is not acceptable in any other civilized society we are beyond that we accept that it is not working. But what is most unacceptable is the Health Minister getting on a soap box and making what amounts to useless announcements about the results of international research on non-communicable diseases.

Granted people need to know the state of our nation's health in comparison to the rest of the world. With non-communicable diseases like Diabetes being the highest in the hemisphere and the resulting ailments like strokes, high blood pressure and asthma overtaking our population, his position is untenable. He is the captain at the helm of health care in this country. He is saying that all he can do is warn us but...

If the Ministry of Health can do nothing; who can?

Today, another article was published with him announcing that T&T "Citizens Need To Make Healthy Choices". Of course he should be applauded for letting the people know but he is the Health Minister, there must be more he can do.

Granted Life style diseases are not caused by obvious health issues, they are caused by the life style of the individuals. It cannot be totally addressed by the Health Ministry but there is no "Life Style Ministry" the Health Minister must lead the charge to change the way the high incidence of non-communicable diseases are being addressed.

One thing that could be done is the passage of legislation restricting the content of foods sold in this country. There would be no need for consumers to make unhealthy food choice decisions if the options were not available. The Health Minister's excuse is that "behavior cannot be legislated". And we both know that that's bull...

Behavior has been legislated with the seat belt laws and with drunk driving laws. How come now, in the case of our nation's health it cannot be done. Of course it's harder to control consumers in this instance but that does not mean that nothing can be done.

There is no passion in the man for the job of Health Minister. He does not see himself ad a change agent, instead he is an observer who can make pronouncements on health that are relevant but useless to an already addicted population. Surely he will probably hate or be persuaded against coming out and disrupting the livelihood of campaign contributors and financial supporters by proposing legislation that limited the content of specific ingredients on foods produced and imported into the country. .

Thousands of lives are at stake. We know he realizes this, yet he does nothing. Fact is that if he does not feel he can do it he should allow someone else to take the position or just resign. But why would he ever consider tendering his resignation when no one in the society is holding his feet to the fire. Someone should.

Whey yuh think?

Caribbean News From St Lucia, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago

2013-03-24T11:19:00.003-04:00

Police accused of being responsible for drug trade'

Trinidad Express Sunday March 24

Stakeholders and informants, both outside and behind prison walls, have accused certain police officers of being bandits.

"Police are frequently accused of being responsible for much of the corruption that exists in the drug economy," according to the findings of the crime report put together by the five-member committee chaired by Prof Selwyn Ryan to enquire into the cause of criminality in the country.

In its findings on the issues of "Prison Reform, the Justice System and Policing", the committee reported it was told by informants that they believe that between 30 to 40 per cent of the members of the Police Service were corrupt and that policemen were either "invisible members or associates of gangs or controllers of their activities".

Read More Here

Money laundering expert agrees with Ryan report

Trinidad Express Sunday March 24

Expert in the field of money laundering and extradition laws, attorney David West said yesterday he agreed with the recommendation of the Ryan report for more resources to attack white-collar crime. West, a former head of the Central Authority at the Office of the Attorney General, said he also endorsed the Prime Minister's call some time ago for an anti corruption commission.

In his report which was tabled in the Parliament last Friday, Prof Selwyn Ryan and his committee recommended that more resources be deployed for fighting corruption, money laundering, and embezzlement, and checks and balances instituted to keep high-ranking officials and politicians in line.

Read More Here

Jobs in jeopardy - Scores of Jamaican teachers in the Turks and Caicos might be sent packing

Sunday Gleaner March 24

More than 200 Jamaican teachers who work in the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) classrooms are in danger of losing their jobs as the Government of that country mulls a proposal to scrap the Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) curriculum.

If the plan gains traction in the court of public opinion, the Jamaicans, who account for approximately 70 per cent of the teachers in the TCI will be sent home.

Akierra Missick, deputy premier and Minister of Education, Youth, Sport and Culture, in the TCI told The Sunday Gleaner that if the people of that country support a proposal to replace the certification offered by the CXC with a more internationally recognised curriculum, then regional teachers might be sent packing.

Read More Here

State keeps tabs on criminal deportees, says Golding

Sunday Gleaner March 24th

Justice Minister Senator Mark Golding has challenged claims that persons convicted of serious sexual crimes overseas and deported to Jamaica could be roaming the streets with nobody knowing where they are.

According to Golding, there are provisions in an existing legislation that allow the State to track persons deported for serious crimes including rape and other sexual offences.
Responding to a reported carried in The Sunday Gleaner that between 2008 and 2012 close to 250 persons were deported to Jamaica for committing serious sex crimes and there is no provision to allow the State to keep tabs on them; Golding said our sources were wrong.

Read More Here

St Lucia Star Sunday March 24th

I had just completed Friday morning the article that occupies this issue’s center pages when a tantalizing thought occurred to me:

What if the prime minister should announce to the nation—in the absence of a CSA consensus—his intention to take off the table his four percent offer and return to his original no-can-do position?

Whatever may have possessed him to abandon his original position, it has been made quite clear his reckless generosity barely impressed the dissident public sector workers, despite the prime minister’s warning that to bend to the CSA’s demands will dump the nation in waters more turbulent than it can possibly survive. Read Here

Hello readers, this week I decided to bring you news from various islands in the Carribbean. What I intend to do is post the headline news from different Caribbean newspaper and link back to the original article.

Please provide feedback on how you feel about this approach.

Thanks for reading.

Review: Getting The Most Out Of Something FREE

2013-03-16T13:48:00.000-04:00

A New Web Site Every Month Free

Go Here

Free Monthly Websites, in my opinion is one of those programs you either know what to do with or you don’t. You can get the most of it Free Monthly Websites if you use it as a tool to earn you an extra perpetual income stream.

These free niche sites fall are in 3 categories:

1, Selling eBooks

2, Writing articles

3, Affiliate promotions

When you first login and download your website follow the tutorials which is very easy to do and eventually get your website onto your webspace. You are presented with a very attractive well designed Adsense website.

What can you do with this free website? Well to be honest the free website has duplicate content so you can rule out getting to the top of the search engine rankings, the premier websites are a different kettle of fish all together but I will get to those in a moment.

Take option 1 above ‘Selling eBooks’ if you sell eBooks especially PLR (private Label Content) conversions, you will find Free Monthly Websites have a rather large verity of websites that correspond with a lot of the PLR out there (if you are a premier member you get a bonus PLR eBook). All you need to do is upload your eBook to a convenient location on your webspace and place a few corresponding links inside your PLR eBook for example:

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I have a weight loss eBook and a small paragraph saying “there are 100’s ways to lose weight which can be found in various forms from Books to television to fitness programs bla bla bla” you could not take this small paragraph and insert your Free Monthly Websites website link in a prime location for instance “there are 100’s ways to lose weight which can be found in various forms from Books to television to fitness programs the best resource I found is at

Here

Now imagine you done this to all your eBooks! Simply take a little time upload your Free Monthly Websites website to your webspace then reopen your PLR eBooks and insert the relevant hyperlink which corresponds to your website and there you have it. For about 2 hours work you have created an income stream for life. Now imagine you have 50 PLR eBooks doing the rounds on eBay or your blog. Your AdSense revenue is going to creep up and up until you are earning a very respectable income. It’s a simple case of wash rinse repeat.

Option number 2 is even easier. I know most of you will at some point, or do write articles and submit them to relevant article directories. Well why not try writing an article about one of the subjects related to Free Monthly Websites? Upload your website to a location on your webspace, place the link in your article and there you have it, submit to article directories like:

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Article Dashboard /

Article Basement

Enzine Articles

GoArticles

And another income stream will start.

The third option is a little different. Using your Free Monthly Websites affiliate link to promote the website and earn a potential 98.50 per referral. You can place your link in the websites provided for you and in the eBooks you sell and articles you write this can generate a missive earnings income of 98.50.

So with your website up on your webspace and your eBook on eBay and your articles in the article directories, you will be well on your way to earning a nice income from a free resource.

I mentioned earlier your Premier Members website. These are a fantastic resource and are worth every penny for the simple fact you receive a private label eBook and 20 articles with every Premier Membership website every month. Not only can you use the eBooks and articles in the ways I have explained, you can key word optimize your website for the search engines, change the content and make your sites as original as you like.

In other words you have full edit rights. So if you imagine directing a visitor to your Premier Website via an eBook or article, they will find a fully edited site with offers and affiliate links promotions, and even an Aweber signup box (which you can integrate with a little HTML knowledge) which in turn will create more revenue and more subscribers for you.

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My recommendations are if you have a few hours to spare get started with this and you will soon see a Google AdSense income. If you use the Premier Websites, you can place affiliate banners, Clickbank affiliate links and Aweber signup box on your site as well as edit all your own content via an easy edit control panel..

If you are going to move into this business, I recommend you take the Full Premier Websites Access!

Here's a link for you: Here

Thank you for reading I hope you enjoyed my review.

How To Make Money Online From Anywhere In The World

2013-03-14T12:00:00.000-04:00

HOW TO MAKE 100% COMMISSION BY SHARING FREE STUFF View then click on link below.

Is The Government Addressing The Non-Communicable Disease Crisis In Trinidad and Tobago?

2013-03-13T14:17:00.000-04:00

It May Appear That Way But A Closer Look Raises More Questions Than Answers

The impact of NCDs on our populations can no longer be viewed solely as a health crisis. The Government of Trinidad and Tobago recognizes this challenge and has therefore put in place measures to prevent and treat persons affected by these NCDs.

We have experienced great successes and strides in public health. We have been able to reduce infant mortality, eradicate polio, and virtually eliminate childhood diseases like measles, and diphtheria as major causes of infant morbidity and mortality through our robust primary care programmes.

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Nevertheless, over the past decade, heart disease has remained the number 1 cause of death, accounting for 25%. Diabetes has remained fairly constant accounting for just under 14% of deaths. Cancers have increased slightly from 12.7% to 13.8%. In the case of strokes, however, there has been a 1% decline from 10% to 9%.

Those words were delivered in a speech by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar during the 66th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, United Nations Headquarters, New York, September 19, 2011.

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Her speech confirms that she understands the extent of the problem we face. You can read the rest of it here. Since she has returned her response to what she termed a crisis has been wanting. She must have mentioned something to the Health Minister because soon after he came up with this.

A programme launched in November of 2011, a couple of months after she came back, it was called “Fight The Fat” Details are here

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Then in August of 2012 the Health Ministry hosted another wellness programme entitled “National Wellness Day – The Healthiest Day in the Nation’s History” Go here if you want to read about what they did.

Now we are talking about minds that are leading our country. We are talking about poeple with high academic standing with access to unlimited information. What has evolved from those highly educated minds in the Ministry of Health, our government, have as a solution a number of non-sustainable responses to a major health crisis in our country. In terms of educating the public these events are absolutely necessary but that's like putting a band aid on a cutlass chop.

Why not put a progrmme in place that targets food manufacturers, importers, wholesalers. The rationale is simple, if unhealthy foods are not available, the citizenry will have no other alternative than healthy choices? A simple standardization program that limits toxic ingredients that can be legally used with severe penalties for breaking the law. The target being food manufacturers like local bakers, confectionary producers and soft drink companies. These industries will not self regulate while the government focus is on “educating consumers”.

An article was published a couple of days ago that reinforced the belief that the government really does not know what it's doing with respect to health. The PM words now have more relevance when she said;

The Government of Trinidad and Tobago recognizes this challenge and has therefore put in place measures to prevent and treat persons affected by these NCDs.

She did not say anything about the industries that produce unhealthy foods. Her focus is on treatment, not prevention. And this, according to the Health Minister:

"Processed food on the whole, it is laced with chemicals, as well as different substances that can irritate basically any part of your system, cells and otherwise, and create abnormal growth, which is cancer, and also at the same time could cause cardiac diseases or heart diseases," he said.

He noted that many of the additives and the processed chemicals were used to preserve the food and make it taste good.

"And those processed chemicals can cause the person to be highly addicted to the food themselves. So once you start eating it, you start to miss it, and it creates a system where you want it."

The worst part of this is the conclusion by the Health Minister, here is what was reported on the last line of the article.

The article noted that ...as Health Minister, he could not legislate behavior, but could only educate "and hope that it sticks on fertile ground".

Send a message for the Minister: Yes, we can legislate behavior. Most governments are able to do it if they recognize the importance like saving lives. They have done it with seat belt laws, use of cell phones, drinking and driving.

The question as it relates to NCDs is; whose behavior should be legislated. Are you going to legislate the industries that are flooding the market with bad food? Or, are you going to pick on the soft target like the consumers who purchase what’s available on the market?

Who should the Health Minister protect?

Laser or Electrolysis: Which Is Better For Hair Removal?

2013-03-11T23:55:00.000-04:00

How To Permanently Control The Growth Of Unwanted Hair

Written for a client, Elite Electrolysis 7 Wart Removal Clinic, to promote her hair removal services. The business is located on the Eastern Main Road, Eldorado, Tunapuna Trinidad, It follows.

The human species has always had a compulsion to remove body hairs. Driven by the need to conform to cultural and societal norms, man has a history of inventing new hair removal procedures.

Ironically, hair removal is usually not prompted by a medical condition but by a desire to enhance beauty or appearance. Tradition and cultural perceptions of beauty makes hair removal from certain parts of the body accepted and normal. Women, being beauty conscious, are more prone to remove body hairs man on the other hand, if he shaves remove hair on a daily basis.

--> The urge, some may say the need, to remove hair usually begins at puberty and can continue until death. Here, in Trinidad, hair removal requests usually includes but is not limited to; the chest, face legs, arms, armpits, or bikini lines. The emphasis is on getting smooth, hairless skin. Understanding how hair grows is the first step in knowing what happens when you remove “unwanted hair”.

Hair Growth
Each grain of hair is contained in a hair follicle with sebaceous glands and erector pili muscles. All these minute parts are collectively called a pilosebaceous unit. This unit is one of nature’s biological systems that continuously regulate the growth, shedding and re-growth of body hairs. It is a natural cycle that has 3 identifiable phases.

1. The anagen phase or growth period,

2. The catagen phase or transitional state, and

3. The telogen phase is the resting period.

The life span of a grain of hair depends on a person’s genetics and hormones but body location is a significant determinant. In some cases hair growth is triggered by a medical condition such as “Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome”. Caused by a female hormonal imbalance, this condition has been known to stimulate facial hair growth. The following are the generally accepted ways to remove hair.

Short Term Temporary Physical Removal:

Shaving – Removal with sharp instrument o Chemical – Using a chemical like Magic Shave to dissolve hair

Plucking – Individually pulling each hair from its root

Medium Term Removal

Waxing – Using hot waxing agent to remove hair

Sugar Waxing – Same as waxing but with caramel for easy cleanup

Long Term Permanent Removal:

Electrolysis – A tiny needle inserted into a follicle and zapped

Laser – Use a laser beam to zap hair at its roots (reduces and not permanently remove hair)

Short term hair removal is generally accepted as in the case of men who shave daily. Most people however, know very little about the longer term permanent treatments. Fact is that laser hair removal is a relatively new technology having been first introduced about 20 years ago. Electrolysis has been used for over 125 years ago and most people know very little of this ancient science. Today, it is still a much used treatment option. The obvious question is…
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What’s the Difference Between Laser and Electrolysis?

Laser employs the use or electrical energy in the form of a pulsating light beam to destroy everything contained in a hair follicles. The beam is aimed at hair follicles where it burns up the melanin in the hair. This temporarily stops the growth process. This process will have to be repeated over 5 to 8 sessions with about 6 to 8 weeks between sessions. Because lasers targets the melanin in the hair it does not work on light (i.e. known as fair) hair.

The advantages of choosing laser are that the procedure itself is relatively quick when compared to electrolysis allow for a larger area of the body to be treated in a fraction of the time it will take an electrolysis technician. The disadvantages are a usually high cost for treatment, potential inflammation and possibility of a change in pigmentation.

Electrolysis uses a tiny needle that is inserted into the hair follicle, then a low level electrical charge is pulsed into it. The electrical charge seals the root of the hair follicle burning away the existing hair structure. This process is repeated follicle by follicle until the area is cleaned of all unwanted hair. The process burns out the hair follicle and permanently stunts the growth of hair.

There are basically two type so electrolysis used in hair removal; galvanic and thermolysis.

In Trinidad most practitioners have a preference for galvanic electrolysis without the use of chemical agents. The reason is that chemicals can react adversely to different skin types. It is therefore safer to avoid them when possible.

The primary advantage of electrolysis, aside from it being the ONLY way to permanently remove hair is the fees. Typically prices will range less than 10 percent of cost of laser hair removal.

The disadvantage is that the procedure requires microscopic focus on each hair follicle. The technician must repeat the process for each hair follicle. As such, this procedure is more suited to small areas such as facial hairs and armpits. It’s not as fast as laser.

Skin tone and sensitivity vary from individual to individual. It is therefore important that the right hair removal procedure be performed to minimize or eliminate the possibility of adverse reactions. It is important to identify a hair removal technician with the proper credentials and experience.

--> For a no cost consultation, call; Elite Electrolysis & Wart Clinic in Tunapuna. Ask for Stacee Thompson. Mrs. Thompson has 15 years experience as a certified Hair Removal technician. She will book a 15 minute no obligation appointment to assess and recommend treatment.

Call her at 645-0576 during normal business hours.

Please pass this on to someone who may need to know this. Thank you.

6 Years Later "Youth Voices Magazine" Still Strong

2013-03-08T12:44:00.000-04:00

For a few years now I have been associated with a young magazine put together by a group of youths managed by David Massiah. I met David when I had first returned to Trinidad. It was quite by accident,

I had created a local merchant coupon booklet and was in the process of selling pages to local businesses when a merchant in Tunapuna that he had already purchased from David Massiah.

Who was David Massiah?, I asked.

Somehow we connected after hearing about him from the merchant. David was the master mind behind the Youth Voice Magazine.

He organized the youths and coordinated the entire magazine production process sold ads and begged for sponsorship from where ever it came. I remember one of our initial conversations:

Me: "Hey David both you and I know that kids not reading anymore"

Him: "Yes but they should and the stuff they getting is all about T&A. I want to offer something different, something more positive."

That has been his position ever since in hard times even when other people suggested that he do what sells. I sold him a couple of copy writing services and moved on but we kept in touch. Soon I was contributing articles and assisting in small ways with the magazine.

I remember one day he came asking a favor; write a letter to the then Prime Minister Patrick Manning to get an interview. I obliged and he was called to the PM office for the interview. He has been able to secure interview with celebrities, sports figures and politicians. In his latest issue he features Anya Ayoung-Chee. Find out why she is not thinking about getting married and what her plans for the future in fashion after her success in Project Runway.

The magazine is published quarterly and it targeted to youths in Trinidad and Tobago with a focus on belonging in the Caribbean region. According to David, the magazine is NOT just a magazine, the magazine should be the voice of a movement. A movement that is not physical but mental. It's a movement, a mental process where youths are asked to consciously choose between a healthy,

God driven lifestyle or venture out alone and ignorant.

Youth Voices is an option for youths who are constantly exposed to a variety of weaknesses in our society. Membership in the Youth Voices Movement means that this particular youth has been exposed to positive influences. Youth Voices members are conscious of what’s right and wrong and assume responsibility for all their actions. They hold to the tenets of their respective religions, they are respectful, ambitious and have a sense of community.

Please view the Youth Voice latest magazine online. I agree with and support David's idealism. He is no longer a client he's a friend.

Take a look at the latest online Youth Voice Magazine 11 Issue

Killer in your Fridge - important warning

2013-03-06T08:58:00.000-04:00

WHAT YOU'RE EATING MAY BE KILLING YOU

This is the content of an email that was shared with me and in my opinion the world should know about. Nothing was changed on it except for the formatting. The author is unknown. Just doing my small part for humanity. It's entitled:

SWEET POISON...

In October of 2001, my sister started getting very sick. She had stomach spasms and she was having a hard time getting around. Walking was a major chore. It took everything she had just to get out of bed; she was in so much pain.

By March 2002, she had undergone several tissue and muscle biopsies and was on 24 various prescription medications. The doctors could not determine what was wrong with her. She was in so much pain, and so sick she just knew she was dying.

She put her house, bank accounts, life insurance, etc., in her oldest daughter's name, and made sure that her younger children were to be taken care of.

She also wanted her last hooray, so she planned a trip to Florida (basically in a wheelchair) for March 22nd.

On March 19, I called her to ask how her most recent tests went, and she said they didn't find anything on the test, but they believe she had MS.

I recalled an article a friend of mine e-mailed to me and I asked my sister if she drank diet soda? She told me that she did. As a matter of fact, she was getting ready to crack one open that moment.

I told her not to open it, and to stop drinking the diet soda! I e-mailed her an article my friend, a lawyer, had sent. My sister called me within 32 hours after our phone conversation and told me she had stopped drinking the diet soda AND she could walk! The muscle spasms went away. She said she didn't feel 100% but, she sure felt a lot better.

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She told me she was going to her doctor with this article and would call me when she got home.

Well, she called me, and said her doctor was amazed! He is going to call all of his MS patients to find out if they consumed artificial sweeteners of any kind. In a nutshell, she was being poisoned by the Aspartame in the diet soda ... and, literally, dying a slow and miserable death.

When she got to Florida March 22, all she had to take was one pill, and that was a pill for the Aspartame poisoning! She is well on her way to a complete recovery. And she is walking! No wheelchair! This article saved her life.

If it says 'SUGAR FREE' on the label; DO NOT EVEN THINK ABOUT IT!

I have spent several days lecturing at the WORLD ENVIRONMENTAL CONFERENCE on 'ASPARTAME,' marketed as 'Nutra Sweet,' 'Equal,' and 'Spoonful.'

In the keynote address by the EPA, it was announced that in the United States, in 2001, there is an epidemic of multiple sclerosis and systemic lupus. It was difficult to determine exactly what toxin was causing this to be rampant. I stood up and said that I was there to lecture on exactly that subject.

I will explain why Aspartame is so dangerous: When the temperature of this sweetener exceeds 86 degrees F., the wood alcohol in ASPARTAME converts to formaldehyde and then to formic acid, which in turn causes metabolic acidosis. Formic acid is the poison found in the sting of fire ants. The methanol toxicity mimics, among other conditions, multiple sclerosis and systemic lupus.

Many people were being diagnosed in error. Although multiple sclerosis is not a death sentence, Methanol toxicity is!

Systemic lupus has become almost as rampant as multiple sclerosis, especially with Diet Coke and Diet Pepsi drinkers.

The victim usually does not know that the Aspartame is the culprit. He or she continues its use; irritating the lupus to such a degree that it may become a life-threatening condition. We have seen patients with systemic lupus become asymptotic, once taken off diet sodas.

In cases of those diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, most of the symptoms disappear. We've seen many cases where vision loss returned and hearing loss improved markedly.

This also applies to cases of tinnitus and fibromyalgia. During a lecture, I said, 'If you are using ASPARTAME (Nutra Sweet, Equal, Spoonful, etc.) and you suffer from fibromyalgia symptoms, spasms, shooting, pains, numbness in your legs,

Cramps,
Vertigo,
Dizziness,
Headaches,
Tinnitus,
Joint pain,
unexplainable depression, anxiety attacks, slurred speech, blurred vision, or memory loss you probably have ASPARTAME poisoning!' People were jumping up during the lecture saying, 'I have some of these symptoms. Is it reversible?'

Yes!
Yes!
Yes!

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STOP drinking diet sodas and be alert for Aspartame on food labels! Many products are fortified with it! This is a serious problem. Dr. Espart (one of my speakers) remarked that so many people seem to be symptomatic for MS and during his recent visit to a hospice; a nurse stated that six of her friends, who were heavy Diet Coke addicts, had all been diagnosed with MS. This is beyond coincidence!

Diet soda is NOT a diet product! It is a chemically altered, multiple SODIUM (salt) and ASPARTAME containing product that actually makes you crave carbohydrates.

It is far more likely to make you GAIN weight!

These products also contain formaldehyde, which stores in the fat cells, particularly in the hips and thighs. Formaldehyde is an absolute toxin and is used primarily to preserve 'tissue specimens.'

Many products we use every day contain this chemical but we SHOULD NOT store it IN our body!

Dr. H. J. Roberts stated in his lectures that once free of the 'diet products' and with no significant increase in exercise; his patients lost an average of 19 pounds over a trial period.

Aspartame is especially dangerous for diabetics. We found that some physicians, who believed that they had a patient with retinopathy, in fact, had symptoms caused by Aspartame. The Aspartame drives the blood sugar out of control. Thus diabetics may suffer acute memory loss due to the fact that aspartic acid and phenylalanine are NEUROTOXIC when taken without the other amino acids necessary for a good balance.

Treating diabetes is all about BALANCE. Especially with diabetics, the Aspartame passes the blood/brain barrier and it then deteriorates the neurons of the brain; causing various levels of brain damage, Seizures, Depression, Manic depression, Panic attacks, Uncontrollable anger and rage.

Consumption of Aspartame causes these same symptoms in non-diabetics as well. Documentation and observation also reveal that thousands of children diagnosed with ADD and ADHD have had complete turnarounds in their behavior when these chemicals have been removed from their diet.

So called 'behavior modification prescription drugs' (Ritalin and others) are no longer needed. Truth be told, they were never NEEDED in the first place!

Most of these children were being 'poisoned' on a daily basis with the very foods that were 'better for them than sugar.'

It is also suspected that the Aspartame in thousands of pallets of diet Coke and diet Pepsi consumed by men and women fighting in the Gulf War, may be partially to blame for the well-known Gulf War Syndrome.

Dr. Roberts warns that it can cause birth defects, i.e. mental retardation, if taken at the time of conception and during early pregnancy. Children are especially at risk for neurological disorders and should NEVER be given artificial sweeteners.

There are many different case histories to relate of children suffering grand mal seizures and other neurological disturbances talking about a plague of neurological diseases directly caused by the use of this deadly poison.'

Herein lies the problem: There were Congressional Hearings when Aspartame was included in 100 different products and strong objection was made concerning its use. Since this initial hearing, there have been two subsequent hearings, and still nothing has been done. The drug and chemical lobbies have very deep pockets.

Sadly, MONSANTO'S patent on Aspartame has EXPIRED! There are now over 5,000 products on the market that contain this deadly chemical and there will be thousands more introduced. Everybody wants a 'piece of the Aspartame pie.'

I assure you that MONSANTO, the creator of Aspartame, knows how deadly it is.

And isn't it ironic that MONSANTO funds, among others, the American Diabetes Association, the American Dietetic Association and the Conference of the American College of Physicians?

This has been recently exposed in the New York Times. These [organizations] cannot criticize any additives or convey their link to MONSANTO because they take money from the food industry and are required to endorse their products.

Senator Howard Metzenbaum wrote and presented a bill that would require label warnings on products containing Aspartame, especially regarding pregnant women, children and infants.

The bill would also institute independent studies on the known dangers and the problems existing in the general population regarding seizures, changes in brain chemistry, neurological changes and behavioral symptoms.
The bill was killed.

It is known that the powerful drug and chemical lobbies are responsible for this, letting loose the hounds of disease and death on an unsuspecting and uninformed public.

Well, you're informed now!

What do you think?

Is There Corruption In Trinidad & Tobago?

2013-03-02T10:21:00.002-04:00

Corruption Is A Natural Self Preservation Instinct

The Trinidad and Tobago government insists on transparency and anti-corruption in everything it does. As one in a not so large population it is a little differcult to believe.

I have no political affilations and even support the move to remove the PNM government from power because it was obvious that the then Prime Minister had become a megalomaniac.

The country should have paid more attention to the words of the previous Prime Minister and ex political leader of the party that ousted him Mr. Basdeo Panday. He hit it on the head when he said the country could expect "an exchange and no change".

It was an exchange in sorts that brought on more than one government missteps. The government went into a fenzy a couple months ago when someone in Jamaica accused it of "ethnic stocking" like a guilty child they started throwing tantrums. It did not matter the proof as usual is in the pudding.

Blatant and public proof of corruption, despite and after the numerous accusations against Mr. Jack Warner and an international body FIFA label him "economical with the truth" the Prime Minister appointed him National Security Minister, Nobody needs an investigation or report to realize that there is some stale fish in the market.

If you had any questions take a look at the following videos. They were not put together by crazies, corruption is real and living color in Trinidad and Tobago.

Afra Raymond is an anti-corruption activist/blogger www.afraraymond.com focuses on the collapse and bailout of CLICO.

Three Myths About Corruption

Trinidad & Tobago Betrayed.

Section 34 Fiasco The Truth

Is There Corruption In Trinidad and Tobago NOW?

Is Montano Sentence Unfair?

2013-02-27T11:04:00.000-04:00

Mr. Herbert Volney (Former Justice Minister)

How justice works in Trinidad and Tobago. Swift & Sure

Most Trinbagonians know that Machel Montano was slapped on the wrist after his conviction on 5 charges which included assault and battery and using obscene language.

But let's face it, that was expected.

If you have been following the case for any time you would come to the conclusion that there are 2 set of justices in TnT. According to Mr. Herbert Volney, past Justice Minister, big mouth with an axe to grind. He is calling for a judicial review of the sentencing by the DPP. Read his position here Express Article

The articles states that "Section 30 of the Offences Against the Person Act, Chapter 11:08 provides for a maximum term of imprisonment of five years for the charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm for which Montano was convicted"

After Carnival Montano publicly apologized to the victims of the fracas. In my opinion, it was a totally lame apology. It was more of an insult than an apology. He said that now that the hectic Carnival season was over he could now deal with this and he was sorry for something but not really for his behavior.

Now the victims learn that because of Justice delayed, it is now too late to sue for civil damages. Express Article.

Do you have an opinion on this or with what was said by Mr. Volney?

Let's hear your position on this.

Arresting Women - Law in Trinidad & Tobago

2013-02-18T06:00:00.000-04:00

A Public Service Message
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An incident took place recently - a young girl was raped by a man posing as a plain clothes officer; he asked her to come to the police station when she and her male friend didn't have a driver's license to show.

He sent the boy off to get his license and asked the girl to accompany him to the police station. He took her instead to an isolated area where the horrendous crime was committed.

The law which most are not aware of, clearly states that between 6 pm and 6 am, a woman has the right to REFUSE to go to the Police Station, even if an arrest warrant has been issued against her.

It is a procedural issue that a woman can be arrested between 6 pm and 6am, ONLY if she is arrested by a woman officer and taken to an ALL WOMEN police station. If she is arrested by a male officer, it has to be proven that a woman officer was on duty at the time of arrest.
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Please share this with as many girls and women you know.

Also guys.... share with friends because this can help them protect their wives, sisters and mothers.

It is good for us to know our rights. To what extent it becomes of use remains to be seen in any situation. But as they say, Knowledge is Power.

I did not know this and I am sure lots of us don't. Please be informed.

For more information about M.. Hamel-Smith & Co., please visit their website at http://www.trinidadlaw.com/

Tweet this to your friends let everyone know.

2013-02-17T06:00:00.000-04:00

Don't You Dare Try This

Here is what can happen with you if you try smuggling drugs into the UK. A short vacation to the UK can last for years.
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The vacation planned to the UK

His nervous behavior gave him away.

Super Blue - 2013 Road March King

2013-02-14T21:36:00.001-04:00

Like Pump Up In 2000 Fantastic Friday Won In Both Competitions

The Blues have it. Super Blue was elated yesterday after the announcement that he was the 2013 National Road March champion. He beat the defending champion Machel Montano with a landslide score of 511 plays to 56.

He did not just win, he obliterated Machel Montano on the road. More than one of my friends expressed their disappointment with the results for the Soca Monarch competition. They felt that he was cheated out of first place in that competition. According to one friend, his resounding victory where the people judged their preference was inevitable.

Fantastic Friday

In 2000 he won both the Soca Monarch and Road March only this time he had to share the Soca Monarch title with Machel Montano:

The following is Super Blues Road March tally to date:

SuperBlue’s National Road March tally:

As Blueboy - 1980, 1981, 1983
As SuperBlue - 1991 to present
1980: “Soca Baptist”
1981: “Ethel”
1983: “Rebecca”
1991: “Get Something an’ Wave
1992: “Wine on Something”
1993: “Bacchanal Time”
1995: “Signal for Lara”
2000: “Pump Up”
2013: “Fantastic Friday”

SuperBlue’s Soca Monarch tally

1993: “Bacchanal Time”
1994: “Flag Party”
1996: “Bounce”
1997: “Barbara”
1998: “Ato Party”
2000: “Pump Up”

Will MacFarlane Stop Carnival?

2013-02-13T12:09:00.000-04:00

Dismissed Claims That Trinidad & Tobago Carnival Is "The Greatest Show On Earth"

Here's a direct quote from the veteran mas man:

Rubbish. What we have is the greatest street party. But when you see what Rio (Brazil) has the elaborate costumes, their Carnival reflests their culture. Brazil carnival is far, far superior to outs.

"Brazil's carnival is far, far superior to ours. We keep saying we are getting closer to Brazil but we aren't, each costume starts at US$2,500 for a costume. Anybody can join a samba school but you have to sign a contract and learn the dances. It's well-done stuff, not the crap you see here," he admonished.

Now I don't think that MacFarlane read what I had written just before this Carnival. The post entitled Marketing Carnival To the World

If as Mr. MacFarlane's said that it has been a bad business decision to continue he should know. I certainly don't think he did it because he wants to start controversy.

The controversy has been brewing for some time and successive administrations keep missing the point. It certainly not equitable to offer millions in prize money for individuals while offering pittance incentives to large bands. That will not keep the tradition alive.

As Mr. MacFarlane explained he has not been able to come up with a profitable business model to make it worth his while in the nine years he has been trying. That does not mean that no business model will work, just means that he has not found one yet.

What does this mean for Carnival?

Mr. MacFarlane is the only large mas leader to come out like this. If it's the same for others we can expect that it will be a wake up call for many of them and we will start seeing a reduction of the size of the now big bands.

Other than that, Carnival will go on. People are already getting ready for the 2014 Carnival.

What do you think?

Marketing Carnival to the World

2013-02-09T16:46:00.004-04:00

Is Carnival “The Greatest Show On Earth”?

This post was written in response to an article in a Trinidad and Tobago Newsday Newspaper credited to the Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Commerce. You will agree with me at the end of this post that the article got it all wrong.

A link to the article is below.

The headline read; "The Marketing Potential of Carnival”

As a marketer the headline pulled me in but it did not deliver what I expected. The headline suggested that there would be strategic solution to marketing Carnival to the world as an art form.

Instead it took the reader on a tangent that seemed farfetched. Honestly, I really hate writing anything that contradicts another writer. I understand that writing is not an easy task. But as a writer I know that some things need to be said in this case I assume the responsibility to say it. To offer a different perspective, a new view point. Marketing culture is very important and could be a challenge if a real difference cannot be identified.

The author suggested that marketing Carnival should focus on our ethnic foods. The article pointed out that all the islands in the Caribbean archipelago offer the same sun, sand and sea. Trinidad and Tobago had to be different and we can do that by marketing our foods. And here's why...

It cited as proof the popular North American food channel that rated our “Bake and Shark” as a mouth watering and gave it an obscure award. It suggested that the desire for that special Caribbean flavor could attract more tourists for Carnival.

Interesting concept, considering the source but to say the least it's an absolutely unworkable proposition.

Imagine a TnT government ad "Come to Trinidad for Award Winning Foods"

Differentiate we must. That's why Carnival was labeled as “The Greatest Show On Earth”. Whoever coined the term had hit on something. It has been the standard description of Trinidad and Tobago Carnival. It worked before the advent of the internet. It needs to tweaked now.

The relevant government ministry should re-examine its marketing position of the claim. The Greatest Show On Earth does not stand up to close scrutiny.

For example, “Greatest” could be quantified by the number of foreign visitors Carnival attracts annually. Last year a minister in the government estimated that 220,000 visitors came to partake in the festivities. Seemed high but that’s another post.

Let’s assume that it was true, and compare it to the number of visitors to Brazil’s Carnival estimated last year at 5.3 million. Trinidad and Tobago Carnival does not even come close.

Is the claim that TnT Carnival is the Greatest Show on Earth true?

A claim that we can prove is that Trinidad and Tobago has the “Biggest Party in the Caribbean”. That claim is a much easier sell than what exists now.

Maybe the rest of the Caribbean would competes with each other to attract tourists but Trinidad and Tobago can compete on a much different level.

Answer this:

Which other island has created its own musical instrument?

Which other Caribbean island excluding Jamaica has its own vocal art form?

Which other island or country in the Western Hemisphere host a party that is as big as TnT Carnival?

Sorry, the other Caribbean islands should not be considered competitors. What is a reasonable claim is that Trinidad and Tobago Carnival is quite literally the “Biggest Party In The Caribbean”

Brazil show is grander in terms of number of visitors and their ability to produce ingeniously creative masterpiece costumes may or may not compare However, in terms of a party mentality, Trinidad and Tobago stands alone. Party is wired to the Trinbagonian psyche. Instead of making a false claim, TnT should sell is what already exists.

Which country, in the Caribbean or indeed in the world, has set aside two full days to party in every major city?

A country where partying is not restricted to the evening or afternoon, You can begin to party from as early as 10 AM or 10 PM to 7 the next morning. Carnival is a party with numerous pre parties that start at least three days before it Carnival begins. A country where noise pollution is expected and even condone by the law enforcement authorities.

A perfect place to visit but... The tourist haven where the only real concern is getting a decent, safe place to sleep.

Upon awakening, they can be assured that somewhere in TnT there is a party they could attend. Trinbagonians work to party. Food, of course, is always integral to any party. Would you invite a friend to your house for food if you are having a party?

The point is that the only way to market Carnival is with integrity. It’s not the Greatest Show on Earth it is the Biggest Party in the Caribbean or maybe even in the Western Hemisphere.

This slight repositioning will open up a doorway to a more sustainable marketable demographic with more disposable income; the younger generation.

This new strategy could ramp up the number of visitors. Based on the numbers we will never be the Greatest Show in The World but we do have teh infrastructure to host the "The Partyingest Biggest Party in the Caribbean.

What do you think?

Read the article that started all this here.

2013 Soca Power & Groovy Monarch Winners Results

2013-02-09T07:24:00.003-04:00

Big Surprise Ending: A Tie For First

Well I was not 100 percent wrong.

Yesterday I predicted that Super Blue will take the Crown. He did, half of it, he split with Montano.

The face off ended in a draw. Austin "SuperBlue" Lyons and Machel Montano at Friday's Play Whe International Power Soca Monarch results wer not expected by anyone.

Machel gave a spirited performance with his delivery of "Float" while SuperBlue, enchanted the crowd before he took to the stage. He had the crowd humping with his piece, "Fantastic Friday."

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Machel, easily won the Digicel International Groovy Soca Monarch defending his title.

Neil "Iwer" George took second with Dexter "Blaxx" Stewart, third.

The complete official results

Play Whe International Power Soca Monarch

1. Austin "SuperBlue" Lyons

1. Machel Montano

3. Rodney "Benjai" Le Blanc

Digicel International Groovy Soca Monarch

1. Machel Montano

2. Neil "Iwer" Goerge

3. Dexter "Blaxx" Stewart.

Float

Fantastic Friday

Who Will Be The Groovy Soca & Power Soca Winners?

2013-02-08T10:42:00.002-04:00

Last Year Super Blue Must Have Been Wishing He Competed; This Year He Is

Fantastic Friday is here. This entire weekend will be partying, jumping, dancing, drinking and loving self for no other reason than the Biggest Party in the World. The streets will be packed from early Monday morning. As we write this school children are having their kiddies Carnival celebration in the schools and businesses are hosting their annual Carnival fetes tonight.

Tonight is also the finals for the Digicel Groovy Soca Monarch 2013 and the National Lottery Board Play Whe international Power Soca Monarch 2013.

Last night was the 2013 Calypso Monarch with the PinkPanther being the clear winner.

Here is the line up for both competitions hosted by the Caribbean Prestige Foundation for Performing Arts

The Play Whe International Power Soca Monarch and Digicel International Groovy Soca Monarch Competitions 2013.

This epic competition will take place on Fantasic Friday, tonight 8th February, 2013 at the Hasely Crawford Stadium at 9:00pm.

Machel Montano (MMHD) will be defending his crown in both categories.

Each artiste will appear in the following position to challenge the reigning monarch:-

Groovy	Power
Drupatee Ramgoolai Nadia Batson Denise "Saucy" Belfon Ravi Bissambhar Rodney "Benju" La Blanc Darryl "Farmer Nappy" Henry Destra Garcia Patrice Roberts Machel Montano (Defending Monarch) Neil "Iwer" George Dexter "Blaxx" Stewart	Shivonne "Lil Bits" Churche Lornette "Fya Empress" Nedd Wilt "Tallpree" Cambridge Devon Matthew Shurwayne Winchester Rodney "Benjai" La Blanc Destra Garcia Jason "JW" Williams & Ancil "Blaze" Isaac Jr. Machel Montano (Defending Monarch) Marvin "Swappi" Davis Austin "Super Blue" Lyons

I predict that Super Blue will take the crown from Machel Montano. There are a great line up of stars but the race will be between Mantano and Super Blue. I know did not get it right with my last prediction. Super Blue is a supreme performer and by now he is ready to take on Machel.

Let’s see.

Following Day Update

THE RESULTS CLICK HERE

Is Jack Warner Afraid of The Truth? (unplanned post)

2013-02-08T09:43:00.002-04:00

Using Copy Write Laws To Harass

Jack Warner or somebody working for him have decided that one of my posts made few months ago infringed on his rights.

On two occasions a cease & desist complaint was submitted to Google as a violation of his rights. Automatically. Google disables the post so that it could be resolved with a warning that if it is re-published it will be a violation. So I removed his picture and republished the content.

What's stupid about it is that if someone had contacted me and said that they wanted the content removed, I probably would have done it. To report a violation for a photo just is not the right thing to do. Google provided a link to check on the specific violation reported. Unfortunately the site associated with the link said that the search feature was disabled.

The fact is though there was nothing that violated anyone's rights. It must have been the picture because everything else is in the public domain.

Reporting a violation once was not significant but twice makes it worth mentioning.

Below you can read the post as it was originally published. This post is minus the stunningly handsome picture of Mr. Warner.

Does the post below violate anyone rights? If you think it does, let me know.

It was titled:

Why is Jack Warner Not Helping These Chinese People?

Trinidad and Tobago Crime Buster

You just would not believe how stupid some people can be. For those of you who don’t keep up with the crimes in Trinidad and Tobago, two Chinese nationals were shot to death in a recent robbery. Sad, but everyone is being targeted by youths who want to get rich on other peoples’ sweat.

Jack Warner in his capacity as National Security Minister in his eagerness to show the nation how conscientious he is about his job visited the relatives of the murdered victims. Of course, as has been his political style and habit he made a media pronouncement; he will help.

He must have been referring to the death stipends paid to locals who are entitled to benefits. He also offered them protection which as Minister of National Security it must not have been such an outlandish promise.

OK, so big surprise today’s Express front page head line “No Help from Jack” (link below)

You can read the story from the link below but what's confusing is what were the relatives thinking when they opened up to reporters. Why would they attempt to bite the hand that promised to feed them? If anyone know people and especially government officials it would be the Chinese. Something is wrong here.

Are they thinking that the story would embarrass Jack and by extension the government into getting tickets for 3 to China? Actually no price could be put on the loss of a mother and father so it must not have been the funds for the tickets they wanted. Just wanted the population to know not to believe promises by government officials.

Or maybe the reporters led them to believe that what they said would not be reported. Sometimes these things are not what they appear to be but whatever the reason, I’m sure of one thing.

Jack Warner will not help them now.

He has weather bigger storms than this. He reminds me of the Teflon Don of the New York crime family. Nothing sticks on him. Jack has something to prove with this new job. He will not allow something like that to get in his way of proving that he is the right man for the job.

In my opinion, by putting their concerns in the public domain they have ensured their fate. Not openly but silently and behind the scenes. All he has to do is nothing but now maybe he will do a little bit more than nothing.

OK, I may be wrong but I would bet that this is the way it will play out. Read the article and share what you think.

Would you help them?

The link NO HELP FROM JACK

The Winner 2013 Calypso Monarch Competition

2013-02-08T06:21:00.000-04:00

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Calypso is not dead, old men calypso still reigns.

The winner of the 2013 Calypso Monarch competition was the Pink Panther. Last night I layed and the couch and listened to 24 calypsos. In all honesty a few of them had me nodding. I listened to hear if calypso was really dying.

It’s not like I said a few days ago, it’s not but there are some things missing.

Yesterday I predicted that Kurt Allen would win and I was almost right, he almost won. He was the second runner up. I was also right about Duane O’Conner who rode the waves of victory last year, this year he got dumped on the beach. He did not stand a chance.

Kurt, was good but even being a friend and a fan, the Panthers left him in the dust. It was a deserved win. Both renditions were relevant and pick at the souls of Trinbagonians with lyrics that were, humorous, satirical, melodious and hard hitting. Both presentations were right on point.

Here are the results.

1. Eric "Pink Panther" Taylor - Travel Woes/Crying In The Chapel
2. Kurt Allen - Political Sin Phony/Black Stalin Say
3. Heather MacIntosh - The Old Man's Lament/Invisible
4. Roderick "Mr Chucky" Gordon - Bear With Me/The New Addiction
5. Karene Asche - Meh Pardna Ship/Eat Ah Food
6. Eunice Peters - None Of The Above/Keshorn D Javelin Champion
7. Duanne O'Connor - Building A Wall/ Seeking Sparrow's Advice
8. Alana Sinnette Khan - No Moral Authority/Pathological
9. Dr Hollis "Chalkdust" Liverpool - Prodigal Son/Virginia's Alzheimer
10. Kizzie Ruiz - In The Age Of Blog/T And T Forever
11. Marva "Marvelous Marva" Joseph - Come Back To What/Woman's Contribution To Trinidad And Tobago
12. Victoria "Queen Victoria" Cooper - D Betrayal/Club 34

--> I don’t have a video clip of last night performance but here is a video of a song he did last year; The Elector. His has the same style and hard hitting lyrics. Will add the new clip as soon as it become available. Follow this blog to be notified.

Come back for more when we give a critique of the competition.

2013 Calypso King of The Year Competition

2013-02-07T18:07:00.000-04:00

Will The Winner Have A Rhyme Or Reason?

Well another year has passed and the time has come for another big money calypso competition. The 2013 Dimanche Gras is set for tonight, Wednesday February 7^th.

Duane O’Connor last year calypso King will defend his crown. Not giving him any negatives but don’t think he will win this one. In fact, I think I can go a little further and say that I don't want him to win. I know it sounds harsh but I have a question. What has he done to improve Calypso over the last year? I say no more.

That’s not because I don’t think he can sing, just hope he don't do it twice. I think being the King of Calypso should mean a little more than the prize money and a brief moment in history. Can't remember ever seeing him in a commercial. Not really his fault, somebody say TUCO but you will have to know a little more about calypso to understand. Suffice it to say I wish the last Calypso King go the way of the one the year before Karene Asche.

No wonder the the question comes up Is Calypso is dead?

Here are some of the people he will be going up against tonight. These were the pick at the semi finals last week where 40 contestants were whittled down to 11 with one reserve. Ok, there was no one here who know what a "reserve" is but he must know. Maybe it’s just in case some had an accident and could not make it, the show will go on with the 12 contestant. Who knows?

Well here’s who Duane O’Connor will face tonight. They are:

1. Eight-time monarch Chalk dust (Hollis Liverpool), (if he wins he will become the calypsonian with the most National Monarch titles)

2. Karene Asche (2011 winner) and

3. Kurt "The Last Badjohn of Calypso" Allen (2010)

4. Veteran singers Pink Panther (Eric Taylor) and

5. Marvellous Marva

6. Roderick “Mr Chucky” Gordon

7. Eunice Peters

8. Alana Sinnette

9. Heather MacIntosh

10. Kizzie Ruiz

11. Victoria Cooper

12. Carl;os James (reserve)

So you see why I say what I say. Ok, here’s the deal, it’s a hard one to predict. According to CroCro, and you will have to know who he is to understand this. Well he claim that he was offered the crown if he would eat crow. He said no and that’s it

Why I bring that lil piece of mauve-langue in there is because it may or may not be relevant. It’s really all about relevance and the ability to inform.

I’m batting for Kurt Allen, the last Badjohn of Calypso. Why? Good question.

Think maybe because he’s what you’ll call a home boy. He’s a Facebook friend and most importantly I believe that he breathe new life into calypso.

There should be a revival of this art form and with his dedication and believe in calypso maybe he can pull it up a notch.

Not trying to discount all the other contestants but like I say there are more reasons than one I would like to see the Last Badjohn of Calypso reign as Calypso King again.

Best of luck to everyone, may the declared winner walk away with the spoils of victory.

We'll see.

Indonesia Secret War Against The Papua People

2013-02-07T06:00:00.000-04:00

Unjust, Unfair and Inhumane And Should Not Be Ignored

This got this video from a friend on Google+ and after looking at it knew that I had to share it. Because I think and you might agree with me:

It's Unjust: I think it was Brother Malcolm X who said that when people are enslaved anywhere, they are enslaved everywhere.

It all boils down to control of resources, real today alive and living colonialism.

This is one secret the world should know about. More people in the world need to know about this. After all is said and done; Indonesia is a member of the United Nations.

Frankly I wish we could stat a Khony2012 campaign on this issue because it is worse than what he was doing in the Congo and Uganda. , Everybody in the world needs to know about this. Guyana has raised it's hands in defense of these people and so should every country in the Caribbean. Which of the islands will be the first to show support for these people.

They are surviving in the face of bold naked repression, state sponsored thuggery and global indifference these people are crying for independence.

If not here then where? If not now then when? If not me then who?

It is time that injustice and oppression in such a raw form be addressed.

View the video...

If this touches you; share with your friends, do your part against this injustice

Share with your friends.

A lesson in roti-ology

2013-02-06T08:55:00.000-04:00

The following piece was been borrowed from one of Trinidad & Tobago's Daily Columnist Tony Deyal. It just had to be shared here because it provides an interesting historical and cultural lessons about Trinidad that you may enjoy. Entitled:

THE MAINSTREAMING OF ROTI BY TONY DEYAL

"Coolie, coolie come for roti, all de roti done."

In the elementary schools I attended in the fifties, this racist chant was common. Now, fifty years after Independence, making, buying, selling or eating roti is not limited to any one race. It is not the speed with which the roti "done" but the question, "Where de roti gone?" As we say in Trinidad, it "gone for higher". Now you can buy all the different variations of roti in Toronto, New York, Miami and wherever Trinidadians and other West Indians live, lime and labour.

In 1962, the roti best known outside of the home was the "dhal puri". There is no such commodity in India, where a puri is either a flat, flaky bread cooked in ghee (clarified butter), or a dish made by mashing or grinding peas, vegetables or meat and cooking it in hot water. The purists say that what we call a "dhal puri" is really a dhal paratha which is a stuffed roti but in Trinidad what is called a "paratha" is not stuffed and is known as a "buss-up-shut", taking its name because of its likeness to a tattered shirt. The version of roti that is the breakfast and dinner staple, is "saada" which means "homely", "simple" or "rustic" in Hindi but, in South India, would be a "chappati". However, the Trinidad "roti" is made using baking powder as a leavening agent and not yeast which is used to make "nan", the generic Hindi word for "bread". The first time I heard the name Kofi Annan I thought it was an Indian breakfast.

It is not surprising that the Indian indentured immigrants to Trinidad, coming in contact with the British and mingling with the other races and cultures that comprised the most cosmopolitan of countries of the Caribbean, should come up with some culinary innovations. Although barra (or bara, a fried flatbread originally made from ground peas and flour) exists in India and in other places where curried channa (chick peas) is a staple, it is Trinidad that invented the "doubles", a sandwich made by putting curried channa between two barras.

Now you can get doubles almost anywhere in the Caribbean, North America and Britain. The "pulao" or mixed rice dish of India became "pelau" and was popular long before roti made the hit parade. Even in music technology, the country that gave the world the steelpan also reputedly invented the "dhantal", a percussion instrument that was fashioned out of the iron "bows" that yoked the oxen that pulled the cane-carts. The dhantal and "chutney" music, another Trinidadian invention, go together like a roti with a Red Solo soft-drink or "curry duck" and a river "lime". In politics, the combination of "rum" and roti characterized a unique form of garnering votes for elections that was not limited to race.

When Trinidad became Independent in 1962, we did not understand what was happening or appreciate what we had. Boys and girls of East Indian descent leaving their rural villages to go to the city High Schools and Colleges had an especially rough time. We studied by rote and by roti. There was a lot of stuff to memorise but what has stayed in our memories longest was the shame that we were made to feel for taking our saada roti to school. Saada roti was not well known outside the household. Civilised people bought bread from the bakery or had enough money for sandwiches from the school's "tuck" shop or the "parlours" or cake shops outside. We carried our food in oily, curry soaked paper (one bag per week) bags or wrapped in brown paper and we huddled together, rotis held close to our mouths, hurriedly gulping down our food, sometimes with mouthfuls of paper, so ashamed were we.

It was "doubles" that served as the wedge that opened the floodgates for Indian food. Doubles vendors were always around but increasingly there were more of them and their customers were not limited to Indians. Paratha was next to taste the limelight. It might be because of the name by which this roti is best known. "Buss-up-shut" captured the Trini imagination. Paratha, which is also a misnomer in the classic Indian sense since it is not stuffed with anything, is made to separate into smaller, bite-sized pieces. Unlike the dhal puri, it cannot be used as a wrap but has to be served separately from the curry. This requires a container. Interestingly the paratha went mainstream when containers became commonplace. In a way it demonstrated that there is a link between food and technology - the barra and dhal puri needed only pieces of brown wrapping paper and paper bags which were common. The paratha needed a container and became popular when these were available in Styrofoam, cardboard and plastic.

What about the saada roti as the breakfast food of choice of so many Trinidadians? Its present popularity has as much to do with health and changing lifestyles as with taste. In rural homes, the husbands worked and the wives, even if they laboured in the cane-fields, were still responsible for the home and the food. Work started from before four a.m. and the bread vans came much later so that roti was the fastest, easiest and, for most Indians, the only palatable solution. However, with the new generation where both men and women work but despite the increased income still have to hustle early in the morning to avoid the traffic, it is easier to buy breakfast than wake up and cook. The rationale for continuing to want Indian food is that the last thing people give up is their food. They are willing to change their language, their clothing and their external lifestyles but are very reluctant to part with their food which, for them, is the most important of comfort zones. In fact, under stress most people revert to their comfort foods.

The health fad also helped. The "chokhas" or pulped or mashed vegetables ("aloo" or potato, tomato, "baigan" or eggplant) that accompany the saada are healthier than bacon and eggs. Health-conscious Trinis eventually hopped onto the bandwagon. Now, saada roti has become the breakfast dish of many people in both rural and metropolitan areas. For lunch, you can also buy dhal (split-pea soup), rice and any of the curries or chokhas in the food courts of the many malls throughout the country.

In the intervening years between 1962 and today, there were two other phenomena that helped to take roti and other Trinidadian East-Indian products outside the country. One was the migration of many skilled workers to other parts of the world. Because of Trinidad's long established petroleum industry, there are Trinidadians working in every oil-producing country in the world. Also, during the past fifty years many Trinidadians have migrated to the US and Canada. These people, many of whom were of East Indian descent, missed their "home" food and eventually, some found a living making and selling "local" food to the others.

The other event is the rise of "chutney", a hot and spicy music mix associated with Trinidadian Indian culture. It is a unique combination of Hindi and Trinidadian English, calypso, soca and Indian melodies. Increasingly it carved its own niche in the music world. While the song that took it over the national and global threshold was Sonny Mann's "Lotala", the indications were always clear that chutney would emerge as one of the country's global cultural exports.

Today roti has come out of the closet or the safe, the brown paper bag and the dirt fireside or "chulha". You can get any variation in the supermarkets, not just in Trinidad but throughout the diaspora. At the same time, there are signs that the tossed salad that Trinidad is has been quietly fusing into the melting pot that it should be. The emergence of roti is one of the contributors to a growing national unity of taste and culture - not what we put on the stage but our way of life and our values. It is only under the pressure of politics that we tend to become tribal. Hopefully, we can learn from the humblest and most homely of rotis and evolve beyond that - saada but wiser.

*Tony Deyal was last seen saying when he completed this article on roti, "That's a wrap."

Is Calypso Dead?

2013-02-05T09:34:00.000-04:00

Last Year Was The Carnival Spirit This Year It's Calypso

How does an art form die? It dies when the people forget it purpose, when people perceptions of the rituals are lost, it dies as the older generation dies where there is no succession. It can also dye when it is transformed and consumed into another art form. It loses originality.

Does the art of composing and delivering calypso meet these criteria? A 2012 post suggested that the Carnival Spirit is dying, this year it's calypso itself, the source that fueled carnivals of yesteryear..

Judging from the commentaries voiced after 2013 semi-finals of the carnival calypso competition held last week. One of the competitors even sang a calypso about how calypso personified by an individual labeled “Calypso” took a plane to New York City. Thre reason, calypso is not appreciated here by the natives. It is disrespected by the radio stations and the authorities. He must have struck a nerve because the high fallout of comments after the show.

Calypso is not dead but dying. Soca, which is considered a mix of soul and calypso is the choice of the Trinbagonian youths. Frankly, it has more dance and sex appeal than calypso. Real calypso, the hard hitting satirical calypso with catchy rhythms did not show itself yet for 2013. That despite the presentation of 40 semi finalist last week.Admittedly some good lyrics but nothing that make you jump and say "Now da is Kiaso". It just didn't happen.

The old calypsonians are showing their ages, not much fire and lyrics from people like Chalkdust, Shadow or even the King Sparrow.

Yes calypso as it exists today does meet the criteria of a dying art form. But there is hope on the horizon. There are still a number of young calypsonians with the dream of making it big although this can be a false sign given the high prize money. People will do anything where there is a slight chance of landing a million dollars. Look at what happened last year where an absolute unknown won the first prize.

The real hope lies in the heart of the people who will not let calypso die. Calypso has impacted the social and political lives of too many Trinbagonians it has always been the voice of the people and outlet for their joys and pains. The Diasporas of Trinbagonians who long for the old time feeling of calypso will not let it die. Case in point

Last Sunday, 12^th February, 2013 a new version of the classic documentary Calypso Dreams, was screened at the National Library POS, Directed by Geoffrey Dunn and Michael Horne, it was part of an initiative of the T&T Film festival (ttff) and sponsored by the Trinidad & Tobago Film Company.

View this trailer for Calypso Dreams, Ask yourself “Is Calypso Dead?