Oh the games people play now
Every night and every day now
Never meaning what they say now
Never saying what they mean

And they wile away the hours
In their ivory towers
Till they're covered up with flowers
In the back of a black limousine.
Amen.
Joe South.

Like a Sacrificial Lamb to the Slaughter
Mr. Israel Khan you served your country well while you sat as a Commissioner at this Enquiry. Some may say that you were harsh with our 'poor, innocent and defenseless' Mr. Caulder Hart. But many more felt that you treated him with kid gloves in your probe to get to the truth. Mr. Hart had the undivided support of our Hon. Prime Minister who took every opportunity he could seize to shout the praises of this man from the roof tops of the nation; while you, Mr. Khan were chipping away at the facade surrounding UDeCOTT and Mr. Hart at the Commission. Mr. Khan, you are playing on words, Sir. Your claim that you were not 'forced out', and your attempt to convince us of this, your reality, will not be successful. The writing is already visable on the walls for all to see. We take your word that you stepped out in the interest of the nation. Mr. Hart may sleep peacefully at nights, now that you, Mr. Khan, have distanced yourself from the Commission. But Mr. Hart should not run off with this luxury as it will be short-lived: We have not left the barn doors open in the dead of night. I do not agree with you that Mr. Hart is "paranoid": He is a cunning fox, and is quite liable to pop another surprise before the Enquiry wraps up. Prof. Uff and his men will tread softly and gently and manoeuvre their way through this Enquiry, like the true professionals they are. Mr. Khan, now that you are a 'free' man please take the time to ponder. We know that you will be able to look yourelf in the mirror when you awake each morning: But we can't say the same about others.

Retire gracefully now!

The Trinidad and Tobago government is trying to tell the general public that they cant fix the inquiries and inquisitions until they can get the CCJ, Manning no CCJ, I go to just men for justice.

Boss your career ends here gracefully sir.

Khan has admitted to the possibility of unconcious (aka subconscious) bias. Few men have ever done this.

In one sense this is a just and noble move. On the other hand it says little for the kind of bias in itself.

It's possible to say that nobody would be self aware about their unconscious biases. However, Khan as a senior member of the legal profession ought to have been more mindful of these possibilities in his written and oral utterances - and exercised more restraint.

Whatever the situation, he has done the right thing. It is unfortunate though that the Commission has been indelibly blemished by all this.

When these questions arose months ago at Khan's appointment, he should have resigned then, instead of subjecting the Commission and himself to embarrassing moments now.

Back then, I wrote that he was not suitable for the Commission, yet he refused to step down then.

Time always tells.

Jumbie's Watch

North of the Caroni Bridge, he was the best thing for the Inquiry. It may appear that hidden hands are trying to prevent this fearless attorney from asking probing questions.

For those of us who have been following the Inquiry, it is revealing how one individual, Udecott Chairman and NIB boss Mr Hart has been given what appears to be almost 'free reign' over billions of taxpayers' dollars by the current government.

Like him or hate him, Attorney Khan SC was asking some probing, uncomfortable questions, most of which apparently have struck a raw nerve. Somebody is now panicking.

We must understand that people who handle 'big money' in this country don't like to be asked how they spending it and on what they spending it and if it was properly spent. This is what Mr Khan was all about.

You ever notice when you corner a Trini (or adopted Trini) with a question he cyah answer, he does suddenly cry 'race'?

Let's hope the Commission continues it's work and that Mr Hart, in particular, will answer how, for example, the Tarouba Stadium aka Brian Lara Stadium is costing so many hundreds of millions more, with no end in sight!!!

The whole country is waiting to hear from Mr Hart about all these billions he's managing, not about the possible ethnic bias of Mr Khan. Repeat: Don't get sidetracked by this race debate, Commissioners.

So, come on UDECOTT, come clean and don't hide behind no race mask. Answer to the people of Trinidad and Tobago.
ajfyzabadbutlertown

Mission Accomplished!!!

Mr Khan, were you selected on this Commission just to throw in a "monkey wrench" at the right time?

Was all of this an orchestrated gimmick so that after all the waste of time and money, Mr Hart will be still laughing at us?

Will you now do the second honourable thing and refund the monies that you were paid to sit on this Commission?

Why should an informed and authoritative attorney like Mr. Israel Khan allowed himself to be lured into this debacle?

Israel Khan is just a little twint. He was a little twint in the NAR, and he is a little twint now!

Bacon172000.

P.M. is for evening, corruption after dark.

The sun has set, all are asleep, and that includes the journalist.

P.M.: You have done a good job, there are positions of even greater significance to come.

Commissioner: Well thank you Sir, as a lawyer I have as my primary concern truth, justice and fairness for all. I maybe a bit bias in the administration of my duties but overall I consider myself a decent and fair-minded person.

P.M.: Without a doubt I think that is true and you have demonstrated those principles in your administration of this important yet sensitive matter which of interest to the State and to me as Prime Minister.

Commissioner: Thank you Sir.

P.M.: Mr. Commissioner, there is a foreign vacancy coming up for Columbia in the near future, some six months from now, I'm looking for a leader and I believe that person is you. I would like to offer that position up to you, would you like to think about it?

Mr. Commissioner: Well Sir I am very happy about the job as commissioner and of the significance of this matter to the country. My initial inclination is to say no Sir, not out of disrespect but out of my love for country.

P.M.: Well take this envelope, see what's in it and think about it; its a pleasant surprise.

Mr. Commissioner: Well what is in it sir, it is rather thin, it certainly cannot be cash. Could it be tickets to Broadway, to London, to Sydney.

P.M.: No the government does not deal in cash anymore that is contrary to anti money laundering laws. But take it with you and I assure you that it is sufficient enticement for the Columbia appointment.

Socrates

Hot off the Press

An interesting thought -

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/18/20090814/tpl-government-suspended-in-oversea...

(quote)The local government the Caribbean territory of Turks and Caicos was ordered to suspend following a long-running wrangle over alleged corruption, the Foreign Office said.

The move came five months after the premier of the eight-island tax haven resigned to make way for a unified government following a probe which found systemic corruption among the ruling elite.

...

A probe was launched in July 2008 into allegations of corruption in land sales, distribution of government contracts and development deals, the granting of voting rights and misuse of public funds.(unquote)

Sounds like Trinbago, except, the UK Foreign Office cannot suspend the government and their probe took just over a year. I think I am going to go and feed my goldfish.

La Diva

Excellent move Mr. Khan. All right thinking citizens across the country would back you. This move will ensure that Justice will indeed follow the path it was meant to follow. I have no doubt that should Calder Hart and UDECOTT be found wanting, neither will be able to escape the arm of the law as public opinion will have to force the govt's hand. Hats off to you sir, you wear the title of PATRIOT well.

Pray tell, Bacon 172000, what is a 'twint"? You called Isreal Khan a "twint" do you mean "twit"?