Filed under: Uncategorized
Let me start by saying, I have next to no reason to defend this band, as most people aware of my history with Tribe (although my success rate has increased) know that my decision to play mas with YUMA last year wasn’t simply because I wanted to give a new band a try.
But I’ve found it quite amusing that everyone has chosen to demonise the band for their actions on Carnival Tuesday. But there are many unanswered questions on both sides.
Most came to chastise Tribe, and were quick to say they were only thinking of the money and not their masqueraders, yet if one looks at the facts, Tribe were initially barred from crossing the stage by trying to give their masqueraders what they wanted.
At 7:45 am, while on my way to work, Tribe had already arrived on Frederick Street, their sister band Bliss was ahead of them prepping to hit the stage after Harts.
Word came into the newsroom that Tribe had been banned at around 9 am, it was announced on C’s broadcast by NCBA president David Lopez at 9:14 a.m.
Now let’s figure this out here, Tribe was banned and diverted from the Queen’s Park Savannah stage, when they had already reached NAPA at say 8:30 a.m.? That’s mighty early. Especially for a warning and a ban to be imposed.
So was it that they cut off anyone?
The only band that they would have cut off would have been YUMA, who were similarly trying to cross early, particularly after “their whole day on Frederick Street waiting to cross the stage” nightmare last year.
Yet Wee International was the next pretty mas band that crossed the stage.
No, they didn’t cut off anyone. The official reason given was that they broke the route.
Fair enough, but when asked what reason Tribe decided to go up Frederick Street, NCBA president David Lopez didn’t actually answer, he simply went about saying that certain bandleaders felt they could do what they wanted.
And with no one getting a comment from Dean Ackin, up to now we don’t know why Tribe wound up on Frederick Street.
Nor do we actually know what the misunderstanding was, which was “resolved” thus allowing the NCC to reinstate them.
However at 3pm, with a long line of bands having already been queued to go to the Savannah, including Macfarlane who were on Charlotte Street from 3pm till 8pm, it would have made no sense for Tribe to even bother to take up the NCC’s invitation to return.
They’d have only upset their masqueraders further.
So as it stands now, it looks to me, that Tribe, were in essence banned for trying to cross the stage early.
Yet the Minister of Multiculturalism and others are quick to chastise them. Throw them off the road, it’s a festival for the people isn’t it?
Interesting what happens when you look out for the people.
Think about it.
Filed under: Uncategorized
Let me start by saying, I have next to no reason to defend this band, as most people aware of my history with Tribe (although my success rate has increased) know that my decision to play mas with YUMA last year wasn’t simply because I wanted to give a new band a try.
But I’ve found it quite amusing that everyone has chosen to demonise the band for their actions on Carnival Tuesday. But there are many unanswered questions on both sides.
Most came to chastise Tribe, and were quick to say they were only thinking of the money and not their masqueraders, yet if one looks at the facts, Tribe were initially barred from crossing the stage by trying to give their masqueraders what they wanted.
At 7:45 am, while on my way to work, Tribe had already arrived on Frederick Street, their sister band Bliss was ahead of them prepping to hit the stage after Harts.
Word came into the newsroom that Tribe had been banned at around 9 am, it was announced on C’s broadcast by NCBA president David Lopez at 9:14 a.m.
Now let’s figure this out here, Tribe was banned and diverted from the Queen’s Park Savannah stage, when they had already reached NAPA at say 8:30 a.m.? That’s mighty early.
So was it that they cut off anyone?
The only band that they would have cut off would have been YUMA, who were similarly trying to cross early, particularly after “their whole day on Frederick Street waiting to cross the stage” nightmare last year.
Yet Wee International was the next pretty mas band that crossed the stage.
No, they didn’t cut off anyone. The official reason given was that they broke the route.
Fair enough, but when asked what reason Tribe decided to go up Frederick Street, NCBA president David Lopez didn’t actually answer, he simply went about saying that certain bandleaders felt they could do what they wanted.
And we no one getting a comment from Dean Ackin, up to now we don’t know why Tribe wound up on Frederick Street.
Nor do we actually know what the misunderstanding was, which was “resolved” thus allowing the NCC to reinstate them.
However at 3pm, with a long line of bands having already been queued to go to the Savannah, including Macfarlane who were on Charlotte Street from 3pm till 8pm, it would have made no sense for Tribe to even bother to take up the NCC’s invitation to return.
They’d have only upset their masqueraders further.
So as it stands now, it looks to me, that Tribe, were in essence banned for trying to cross the stage early.
Yet the Minister of Multiculturalism and others are quick to chastise them. Throw them off the road, it’s a festival for the people isn’t it?
Interesting what happens when you look out for the people.
Think about it.
Plain Talk, Good English 
Filed under: Everyday Commentary
Tonight saw the first of three, nationally televised public meeting held by the ruling UNC/ People’s Partnership faction.
These meeting are being held following a no confidence motion filed by Opposition Leader Keith Rowley which is to be debated in the Lower House on Friday.
No less we forget, the last time a Trinidadian Prime Minister (hint: his last name is Manning) faced a no confidence vote, an election was called by said Prime Minister.
An election he subsequently lost.
However, much like most felt in 2010, there doesn’t seem to be much for the Prime Minister to fear in this motion. Particularly as, admittedly despite their many misgivings, there is as yet no issue that is as awkward as the whole Calder Hart thing haunting the government, as of yet.
And the mere fact, that barring a major unforseen mutiny, the government cannot defeated in the vote due to their very handy majority.
Yet for some reason, the government feels the need to defend itself.
The PP invested in the talents of Six Point Productions, CCN’s production house to ensure premium coverage of these events (What does that say to state owned CNMG?) and also bought the 8pm to 10pm slots on all the major television stations.
Again why?
To pappy show and boast of progress made?
No government has been as aggressive with their public relations strategy in Trinidadian history. Yet they continue to push the envelope?
Didn’t they hear the saying too much of a good thing?
Is it that they fear what Keith Rowley might say?
I don’t see why, when he has missed almost as much as he has hit since assuming Opposition Leadership.
So again why?
Are the not wary that the public might finally see that through their constant mama-guy?
But then again, knowing this place, the ones who already figured it out are the only ones that will.