标签： Trinidad and Tobago

In a significant ruling affirming military autonomy in personnel decisions, Justice Devindra Rampersad of the High Court has dismissed a judicial review claim filed by Coast Guard Lieutenant Jeffery Hernandez, who challenged the denial of his promotion based on unresolved disciplinary concerns.

The court determined that military authorities acted lawfully and rationally in considering Hernandez’s overall suitability for advancement, particularly regarding serious fraternization allegations dating to 2016. While acknowledging Hernandez met technical qualifications including seniority and examination requirements, Justice Rampersad emphasized that promotion within the Coast Guard remains discretionary and contingent on comprehensive suitability assessments beyond mere technical compliance.

The case centered on allegations that Hernandez, while serving as a training officer, maintained an inappropriate relationship with an officer cadet under his supervision, violating Defense Force fraternization policies. Although no court-martial determination had been reached on the four disciplinary charges filed in 2016, the court found commanding officers were justified in considering the institutional implications of these unresolved matters when evaluating promotion readiness.

Justice Rampersad’s ruling established a crucial distinction between punitive disciplinary proceedings and evaluative promotion decisions, noting that the presumption of innocence in criminal contexts does not prevent military leaders from assessing whether pending matters affect confidence in an officer’s fitness for higher command. The court found no evidence of unlawful, irrational, or procedurally improper conduct by promotion authorities.

The judgment also rejected Hernandez’s claim of legitimate expectation, noting the absence of any clear representation or settled practice guaranteeing automatic promotion based solely on seniority or examination results. The court accepted evidence that officers promoted ahead of Hernandez had met all eligibility requirements at relevant times.

Legal representation included Arden Williams, Mariah Ramrattan and Anthony Moore for Hernandez, while the state was represented by Natoya Moore and Raquel Le Blanc, instructed by Savitri Maharaj and Chelsea Downes.

In a powerful Christmas Day homily at the Pro-Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help RC in San Fernando, Fr Matthew D’Hereaux delivered a compelling message of resilience and hope amidst modern societal challenges. The priest articulated a theological perspective on confronting systemic pressures that threaten human dignity and community cohesion.

Addressing the congregation on Thursday, D’Hereaux emphasized that divine message fundamentally embodies both hope and challenge. He identified multiple modern systems—including political structures, class divisions, and digital technology—as potentially destructive forces when allowed to dominate human relationships.

“When systems attempt to grind us down through political manipulation, economic pressure, or technological isolation, we must not surrender our purpose,” D’Hereaux asserted. He specifically criticized political systems designed to create division, urging Trinidadians to employ their characteristic creativity in overcoming these divisions.

The priest referenced recent electoral campaigns, noting how cultural expressions like street parties and dancing could potentially transform political division into community celebration. “A foreign observer might mistake our political campaigns for festive gatherings among friends,” he observed, suggesting this cultural approach could model bridge-building between opposing groups.

D’Hereaux expressed particular concern about technology’s impact on human connection, noting the paradox of extensive contact lists accompanied by diminishing genuine friendships. “The pursuit of virtual validation through ‘likes’ cannot define our worth,” he cautioned.

Drawing theological parallels, the priest reflected on the Nativity story, highlighting how Mary and Joseph faced political and economic pressures without surrendering to despair or violence. “Despite being displaced by political decrees and denied shelter, they maintained their dignity and hope,” he noted, presenting their story as a model for contemporary response to systemic challenges.

The homily addressed multiple social concerns, including the priest’s criticism of promiscuity culture, warning against normalized open marriages. He emphasized strengthening family bonds through traditional games and shared activities as antidotes to technological isolation.

D’Hereaux also condemned anti-immigrant sentiment and pornography’s pervasive influence, particularly highlighting concerns about adolescent exposure to explicit content. “We must challenge the sexualized culture and reject pornography’s destructive impact on healthy relationships,” he urged.

Throughout the address, the priest consistently returned to themes of proactive faith, creative resistance to negative systems, and the preservation of authentic human relationships through spiritual practice and community solidarity.

The smartphone, once hailed as a revolutionary technological marvel, has evolved into a pervasive force eroding the fabric of contemporary family life and social cohesion. Despite its compact size fitting comfortably in one’s palm, this device wields unprecedented power to disrupt household dynamics and interpersonal relationships.

Modern families have willingly embraced this digital intruder into their most intimate spaces—bedrooms, dinner tables, and private moments. The device has systematically replaced fundamental human interactions, with countless individuals prioritizing screen engagement over meaningful connection with partners, children, or personal reflection. This shift represents a profound transformation in daily rituals and emotional priorities.

The irony deepens when considering Apple’s symbolic namesake—the biblical apple from Eden—while creating perhaps the most irresistible modern temptation. The parallel extends beyond symbolism to tangible consequences: smartphones have become primary news sources despite being flooded with misinformation. Fabricated content spreads uncontrollably, damaging reputations and distorting public perception before verification becomes possible.

Political actors have capitalized on this digital landscape, weaponizing social platforms to manipulate emotions, polarize communities, and advance agendas through carefully engineered content. The device has effectively become the most potent brainwashing instrument ever created, operating with alarming efficiency and scale.

Youth culture demonstrates particularly disturbing trends, with smartphones dominating holiday wish lists and commanding emotional attachment comparable to profound personal loss. Teenagers exhibit genuine distress over device damage that exceeds appropriate emotional responses, signaling dangerous prioritization of material objects over human relationships.

Family structures suffer most visibly, with physical proximity no longer guaranteeing genuine connection. Couples coexist in parallel digital realities, parents offer divided attention to children, and younger generations absorb values from algorithms rather than family traditions. This erosion demands urgent countermeasures, potentially including licensed smartphone ownership similar to other regulated technologies.

The solution requires conscious rejection of digital dominance and renewed commitment to foundational values: authentic presence, faith, familial bonds, and community engagement. While convenience offers superficial benefits, wisdom dictates reclaiming human connection from technological interference. The path forward necessitates choosing meaningful interaction over digital distraction.

In a compelling examination of personal development, a recent editorial explores the transformative power of self-confidence as the fundamental driver of human progress. The piece, originally published in Newsday, presents a thorough analysis of how self-belief serves as the critical differentiator between stagnation and achievement.

The discourse begins by defining self-confidence as the unwavering conviction in one’s ability to overcome obstacles and accomplish goals. This psychological foundation emerges as particularly vital when facing new challenges—whether professional interviews, business negotiations, or academic presentations—where innate fears and uncertainties typically surface.

Stanford Graduate School’s Matt Abraham provides scholarly reinforcement, noting that anxiety itself can be harnessed as a source of courage and significance indicator. The editorial further distinguishes between two archetypes: those who remain confined within their comfort zones and those who courageously venture into fear and learning zones, with self-confidence being the decisive factor.

Dr. Ivan Joseph, renowned motivational coach, contributes the perspective that self-confidence constitutes a developable skill rather than an innate trait. The article outlines four practical strategies for cultivation:

1. Embracing failure as an essential component of growth, illustrated by Thomas Edison’s persistent experimentation before inventing the lightbulb
2. Eliminating internal negative dialogue that psychologist Peter Sage identifies as self-sabotaging behavior
3. Curating social circles exclusively with positive influences that elevate mental states
4. Committing to relentless preparation and practice, exemplified by world-class performers like Muhammad Ali, Usain Bolt, Keshorn Walcott, and JK Rowling

The editorial concludes by emphasizing self-confidence’s broader societal implications—preserving family structures, determining children’s futures, and enhancing national productivity. Without this crucial attribute, the author argues, industries would operate suboptimally, children would underachieve, and workers would lack direction, ultimately diminishing collective potential.