Author: dennisedemming

As a baby boomer, I have to make a difference.

Security Needs Answers, Not Drama

~ dennisedemming ~ Leave a comment

National security is being reduced to political drama.  Many of us followed the recent parliamentary debate on the proposed United States–linked radar installation in Tobago, simply hoping for a clearer explanation. What exactly is being built? Why Tobago? And how will this affect us? Unfortunately, those basic questions were never properly answered, leaving many citizens more uncertain than informed.

It has been widely stated that Trinidad and Tobago has, for many years, participated in Caribbean and hemispheric security cooperation under different governments. It is also worth asking whether our country already operates coastal surveillance radar systems in both Trinidad and Tobago as part of wider regional information-sharing arrangements aimed at tracking illegal drugs, weapons, and human trafficking. Similar systems reportedly exist across the Caribbean and are supported through long-standing regional agreements and partnerships with international allies.

This broader context was missing from the parliamentary debate. Instead of helping citizens understand how this installation fits into existing arrangements, the discussion focused narrowly on secrecy.

What many citizens really want answered are practical questions. Who will control the data collected in Tobago? Will local agencies have full access? Which authority will provide oversight and ensure compliance with our laws? And do we actually have the boats, trained personnel, and resources to act when threats are detected?

These questions go to the heart of sovereignty and public trust. Citizens of Trinidad and Tobago deserve calm explanation, honest engagement, and clear accountability. National security is too important to be reduced to political drama.

Reclaiming Our Capital City Port of Spain

~ dennisedemming ~ Leave a comment

Our capital city, Port of Spain (POS), is losing its place as the capital of the nation, and the current government appears to have no interest in maintaining POS as a beautiful space filled with high standards.  At the last Diwali celebration, the Prime Minister invited U.S. representatives to her personal home instead of the official residence. Small as it seemed, this moment highlighted a bigger problem, which to me is the Prime Minister’s continued attempt to disassociate with the capital city.  This was once a vibrant hub of politics, business, and culture, and it now faces aging roads, neglected buildings, and fewer people living in the city center.

Based on a 2019 planning report UN-Habitat, the city of Port of Spain has about 48,000 people compared to about 94,000 in 1962.  At that time, the city was a place to visit because it was filled with entertainment and restaurants.  Today, Port of Spain is a place where people are afraid to be once it is dark.  Port of Spain must be restored as long as it is the capital city, or change the capital, especially if you wish to make our new capital San Fernando, Chaguanas, or Siparia.

In 2016, Afra Raymond commented on his website that “our capital has been severely depopulated in the past 50 years”.  He further commented that: “Given that there has been no natural disaster, war or plague, it is sobering to consider this steady population loss and its causes during that period of relative peace and prosperity.”

While there are several things that need to be done to reestablish POS, it would be effective if we began by focusing on improving the quality of the roads.  Secondly, there are several buildings that should be restored and/or redesigned to attract more residents to the city. These priorities are mutually connected. Without good roads, life and business in the city are difficult. Without well-maintained buildings, the city loses its character. Without residents, it becomes just a place of offices rather than a living community.

Roads are the lifeblood of any city. Congestion, potholes, and poor maintenance make commuting frustrating for residents and visitors. Upgrading streets would improve daily life and show that the capital is valued.

Buildings carry history and identity. From the Red House to the Magnificent Seven, near Queen’s Park Savannah, Port of Spain has architectural treasures. Many are deteriorating or underused. Renovating them would preserve heritage, boost civic pride, and attract visitors.

Port of Spain should not be only an administrative center. It should be the heart of Trinidad and Tobago — a place where people live, work, and enjoy city life. By improving roads, restoring buildings, and bringing more residents back to the city, Port of Spain can reclaim its status and vibrancy. Either invest in improving our capital city or let us vote on selecting a new capital city.  Whichever is selected, the bottom line is that POS needs to be upgraded by the Government.

Dominic Kalipersad and Dennise Demming share the inspiration of the 7 to 70 7k

~ dennisedemming ~ Leave a comment

Dennise Demming marks her 70th birthday in a unique way, organizing a ‘Seven to 77 K’ walk-run event to emphasize the importance of health and physical activity, especially for seniors.

Reflecting on her transformation through running and exercise, she encourages intergenerational participation and shares her personal health journey.

Despite the challenges of maintaining health in a busy life, she stresses the importance of having personal goals and staying active. The event aims to bring families together, offering medical support and prizes to participants while promoting a healthy lifestyle and community improvement.

Unveiling Giselle Singh: Innovator, Scientist, and Musician

~ dennisedemming ~ Leave a comment

 
 
Giselle Singh introduces herself as an inventive creator and empath, drawing inspiration from the divine. She discusses her multifaceted identity as a scientist, innovator, and musician, emphasizing her contributions to soul music. She shares her focus on genuine storytelling and cultivating meaningful relationships.

Giselle advocates for a living wage for artists in Trinidad and encourages aspiring creatives to follow their dreams. She reflects on the importance of creative freedom, effective listening, and the transformative power of imagination from a young age.

Caribbean EFT-Gym

~ dennisedemming ~ Leave a comment

Join our monthly GYM. Yes, a workshop GYM aimed at teaching and practicing essential EFT skills, emphasizing present process and live emotional experiences. This session aims to enhance couple satisfaction through emotional sharing and understanding, while also addressing the challenges faced by new clinicians in maintaining focus on the present emotional processes during therapy.

Register here: https://lnkd.in/ehFp5-Us.

Juss Lizz shares her journey

~ dennisedemming ~ Leave a comment

Juss Lizz, a classically trained vocalist performing for over a decade, was also trained by Glenda Collins. She began performing in her childhood, progressed to winning competitions, and went on to perform regionally and internationally.

Juss Lizz highlights her pivotal moments, including her performance with 3canal, one of T&T’s most successful groups, which focuses on indigenous performances and songs.

She aims to be a face of folk music while blending classical and modern styles. Liz emphasizes the importance of authenticity, perseverance, and self-expression in music. She also discusses her charity, which focuses on gender-based violence and helping less fortunate children.
Her future goal is to start a music school for underprivileged youth.

Christopher Wilcox, Musician and Graphic Designer … Journey as Trinidadian/Venezuelan

~ dennisedemming ~ Leave a comment

In this interview, Christopher Wilcox shares his journey as a Trinidadian-Venezuelan artist with a rich cultural background. Born in Trinidad, he spent a significant amount of time in Venezuela, which influenced his passion for music, especially Parran.

Despite a career in graphic design, Wilcox pursued music, performing with various groups. He later transitioned to solo performances, focusing on boleros and ballads, and other Latin music.

He was set back by COVID-19, but continues to work on his music career, performing at various venues and collaborating with other artists. He also expresses his love for other art forms like painting.

Wilcox’s advice to young artists is to persist in their passion. He aims to bring his unique blend of Trinidadian and Venezuelan music to larger audiences, both locally and internationally.

When Leaders Lower the Bar, Society Follows

~ dennisedemming ~ Leave a comment

My Prime Minister is a former lecturer at the University of the West Indies, and she herself recently mentioned this in Parliament. This is a matter of pride for our nation, but it also places a responsibility on her shoulders.

Despite her academic background, several Members of Parliament continue to speak with poor grammar and weak pronunciation. Even more troubling is that some of these same MPs are graduates of the University of the West Indies. It is concerning that individuals with tertiary education still struggle to speak grammatically correct English and to pronounce words properly. Moreover, the Prime Minister herself was responsible for selecting several of the current MPs, which makes the issue of their language competence even more pressing.

English has been our official language since Independence in 1962 and, for centuries before, through colonial rule. It remains the internationally accepted standard language of communication, business, and diplomacy. While Trinidad and Tobago’s unique expressions are indeed distinctive and culturally rich, we must also insist on accuracy in grammar and clarity in pronunciation, especially from those in leadership positions.

If we want higher standards in radio, television, and other media, Parliamentarians must set the example. Public figures shape public speech, and when MPs lower the bar, the wider society follows. The deterioration of language capacity among MPs has been happening for many years. While not caused by the current government, they are now responsible for transforming language inability and many different areas. They must act boldly to reverse decline in so many different aspects of our lives.

As a simple positive response I urge the Prime Minister to use her background as an educator and her authority as a leader to raise the standard of language in public life. This will positively impact future generations.