标签： Trinidad and Tobago

In a scathing editorial letter to the editor, citizen Michael Jattan of Diego Martin has launched a vehement critique against Trinidad and Tobago’s recently enacted fireworks legislation, characterizing it as profoundly flawed and dangerously misguided.\n\nThe correspondence, published just 18 minutes prior to analysis, argues the new statute represents a catastrophic failure of governance that prioritizes commercial interests over public welfare. Jattan specifically highlights the legislation’s inadequate protections during Old Year’s Night celebrations, which historically produce widespread distress and physical harm.\n\nAccording to the author, both major political parties—the ruling administration and opposition PNM—have demonstrated moral cowardice by endorsing legislation that effectively serves fireworks importers’ financial interests. The letter references tragic consequences of unregulated fireworks usage, including the death of an infant during Divali celebrations and thousands of canine fatalities over the past two decades.\n\nJattan condemns the bipartisan support for what he terms an ‘insult-to-common-sense bill,’ arguing it provides legal sanction for anticipated chaos while showing blatant disregard for the deleterious effects on human and animal welfare. The author concludes with a stark warning about divine jurisprudence ultimately intervening where responsible governance has failed, suggesting the current political leadership will face accountability for prioritizing commercial interests over public safety.\n\nThe emotionally charged critique presents a damning assessment of legislative processes, accusing lawmakers of effectively permitting fireworks importers to draft self-serving legislation that lacks any meaningful balance between commercial activity and community protection.

For decades, culinary expert Wendy Rahamut has perfected the art of crafting authentic Trinidadian black cake, a cherished Caribbean Christmas tradition. Through years of meticulous recipe refinement, she has developed techniques that distinguish premium black cake from inferior versions.

True artisanal black cake embodies specific characteristics: an intensely dark hue derived from abundant fruits rather than artificial browning agents, a dense and moist texture contrasting with sponge-like consistency, and a fruit-to-flour ratio heavily favoring preserved fruits. Rahamut emphasizes the importance of separately chopping and adding cherries and citron peel at the final preparation stage for optimal texture and flavor distribution.

The signature soaking process involves a precise blend of golden rum and Fernandes Cherry brandy in equal measures—a combination the expert insists cannot be substituted. After initial soaking, fruits are drained, finely chopped using a food processor, then partially rehydrated with reserved liquid to achieve ideal moisture levels without creating excessively wet batter.

Premium ingredients form the foundation of exceptional black cake: 100% real butter, high-quality all-purpose flour (Gold Seal Flour being Rahamut’s current preference), authentic mixed essence, and a well-balanced spice blend.

The sensory experience of baking black cake constitutes one of its greatest rewards—the captivating aroma of caramelized fruits intermingling with rich rum vapors creates an olfactory celebration unavailable to those who purchase commercial versions.

Accompanying the detailed black cake methodology, Rahamut provides a lighter fruit cake alternative requiring simpler ingredients and techniques, plus comprehensive instructions for both alcoholic and non-alcoholic variations. The traditional black cake involves an extensive ingredient list including raisins, currants, sultanas, prunes, walnuts, and mixed peel, soaked in rum and brandy for up to one week before baking at 300°F for 2-2.5 hours.

The post-baking ‘nursing’ process involves regularly adding tablespoons of brandy or rum over several days, creating cakes that can be preserved for approximately one year when properly wrapped and stored. For non-alcoholic versions, Rahamut recommends grape juice soaking with refrigeration requirements.

This comprehensive guide represents both cultural preservation and culinary excellence, offering enthusiasts the opportunity to master a time-honored Caribbean tradition.

A contentious debate has emerged in Trinidad and Tobago regarding bar owners’ resistance to gaming tax enforcement, sparking strong public criticism. Keith Roland, in a recent editorial submission, challenges the prevailing narrative that portrays bar operators as victims of government overreach.

The controversy centers on unregistered gaming machines that have operated extensively throughout TT establishments for years. Roland contends that bar owners have significantly profited from these illegal operations while now demanding public sympathy amid increased regulatory scrutiny. The situation reached a visible point when Guniss Seecharan and members of the Barkeepers and Operators Association (BOATT) gathered at Woodford Square in Port of Spain on December 9 to protest the gaming tax measures.

Roland’s commentary sharply criticizes bar owners for requesting that authorities ‘look away’ from their unlawful activities. He traces the current enforcement climate to previous administrations that allegedly turned a blind eye to certain violations for political reasons, creating an environment where illegality became normalized.

The editorial emphasizes that current enforcement actions represent necessary compliance measures rather than political targeting. Roland maintains that proper governance requires upholding legal standards regardless of protest volumes from affected businesses. He concludes that legitimate bar operations must occur within established legal frameworks, noting that consistent law enforcement is long overdue despite industry objections.

A scathing critique from Diego Martin resident Michael Jattan has denounced Trinidad and Tobago’s recently enacted fireworks legislation as profoundly flawed and dangerously irresponsible. In a sharply worded editorial submission to Newsday, Jattan characterizes the new law as “asinine” and serving exclusively to protect commercial interests while ignoring public welfare concerns.

The commentary highlights how both major political parties – the ruling administration and opposition PNM – have collectively endorsed legislation that Jattan asserts will legitimize the traditional Old Year’s Night chaos. The author contends that the government has prioritized financial considerations of fireworks importers over addressing the documented hazards to both human and animal populations.

Tragic incidents including the death of an infant during Divali celebrations and thousands of canine fatalities over the past two decades are cited as evidence of the dire consequences of unrestricted fireworks usage. Jattan notes with particular dismay that the proposed reforms contain no substantive improvements to existing regulations, suggesting the legislation may have been effectively drafted by industry stakeholders themselves.

The critique employs powerful symbolism, associating red with the bloodshed of animals terrified into roadway accidents and yellow with governmental cowardice in failing to enact morally courageous legislation. Jattan concludes with a sobering warning about the eventual reckoning that divine justice will deliver in the absence of responsible governance, noting that “the longest rope has an end” for those currently benefiting from the problematic legislation.