We look at our inter-island ferry service like we watch Moko Jumbies around this time: we admire their presence but constantly expect them to go wrong at a moment’s notice. There’s where the similarities stop, though, as Moko Jumbies break down far less often than our ferries.
On the day the government gave the formal approval to buy the new ferry from Singapore, at least we had the T&T Express back at work following another mechanical failure (and let’s not even mention the T&T Spirit, the vessel gathering dust for months now in Chaguaramas).
As we wait, the government and its agencies must make sure that the T&T Express and the Cabo Star work and stick to their timetables, especially throughout the Carnival period. Or it will be directly responsible for more tourism woes in Tobago and extremely disappointed holidaymakers on both islands.
The oldest conundrum
Prostitution is often said to be the oldest profession on Earth. Historical accuracy apart, there’s no question the sex trade has been part of human civilisation pretty much from the start, often posing a moral and legal conundrum.
From one side, it’s clear that, given human nature (especially given male nature), the trade will persevere; from another point of view, this is a trade often responsible for violence and abuse, human trafficking and much more. And Trinidad and Tobago isn’t immune from any of this.
As a society, what we must consider is what can be done to protect sex workers from the worst that the trade brings: violence and exploitation by pimps and clients, exposure to sexually-transmitted diseases (including HIV-AIDS) and drug addiction are just a few of them.
The trade won’t go away and, if repressed, it will just go underground. It feels like the most sensible routes are to decriminalise the trade (but perhaps not the users, as it is the case in some countries) or regulate the sector altogether. Either way, something must be done.
Our pan in their hands
Congratulations to the students from St Margaret’s Boys Anglican Primary School and St Francois Girls College Secondary School for their latest success at the National Schools’ Panorama finals over the weekend.
It’s truly inspiring seeing our children cherishing, enjoying and mastering our national instrument. It is also reassuring, as we see the next generation of players maturing and getting ready to lead the musical way in adult life.