This is one of those episodes of #RedwallNews that requires more context than I can provide in the video. And I guess that’s why having a blog is a good thing. I can explain things that I can’t necessarily explain in a video. Oh. You should watch the video first then come back. If you like what you see, feel free to subscribe.

The last two weeks in Trinidad and Tobago have been hard… unsettling. You know, the usual, crime, this, that, the other, then the budget and a string of missteps by preachy politicians. In fairness, some of ’em sophisticated ladies and gentlemen probably had good intentions but overall things didn’t go down well with the public.

Then a great (and sudden?) rain led to terrible floods across the country. So, long story short, people are under pressure and displeased. For some reason, I woke early and I had no plans of writing or filming then I started thinking about how hard politicians have it, particularly honest politicians who are working their butts off and getting burnt, so to say. So I jumped into the shoes of a hard-working politician who’s one step away from a mental breakdown. While in my mind, it’s clearly a parody, we’ll see how this video sits with the public.

Customs Officers and their greed is driving up the cost of living, but we’ll get back to those pests in a bit.

Every day it seems that life in Trinidad is getting harder and harder. There’re murders, gender violence, and the perpetual fear that, at anytime, the price of doubles and KFC could go up. Right now the only thing harder than living in T & T is trying to swallow a fingernail or seeing Colm Imbert on TV.

Recently the prime minister took some heat for saying that that T&T lacks the infrastructure and discipline to work from home, which is true when you consider the systems in place at Licensing; NIB and Customs.

And, Mr Prime Minister, Sir, always punch up; never ever punch down, ask any comedian, that is a Special Branch you avoid.

Then there’s Customs Officers, corruption, and their greed for overtime which inflates the price of every commodity that enters our country.

Recently, the Acting Commissioner of Police recommended lie-detector tests for Customs Officers as the majority of illegal guns entering the country is through legal ports. I have a suggestion. These lie detector tests should include electric shocks.

Can you imagine customs officers under interrogation?

“How do you feel about your boss?”

“Who’s that?”

“Colm Imbert.”

“I love him.”

“Shock him.”

You’re upset. I get it. You’re upset because During the lockdown you did your part: when you went out your wore your mask (over your mouth and over your nose) , you shared memes on Facebook, you learned how to make bread and doubles.
But somebody had to go and spoil everything for everybody. Yes, Nick (Nick is a fake name), we’re talking about you. You’re a delivery driver, you’re sick and you’re going to work. You’re a disappointment to Trinis around the world. Trinis don’t go to work when they sick. Pandemic or pandemic.

There are are two people I love to hear talk. Myself. And Gary Griffith. Referring to the 1990 coup and the police service’s technological advances, he said, We will be able to outgun, out-man, out-think any criminal element or organisation that intends to do anything remotely close to what happened in 1990.” The issue will be solved and individuals will be neutralised in seven minutes,” he said. 

And Covid-19 was like, “Hold my beer.”

Yeah. The police Administration building was shut down after an employee tested positive.  In a way you could say it’s a hostage situation.
We’re human. Sometimes we say stupid things. And sometimes we say really stupid things

For example you have AUXILIARY fire officers saying they are treated worse than slaves, as they are working without vacation, sick, injury or any leave.
Then, during a virtual meeting, you have the opposition leader saying that the Govt’s treatment of stranded Trinis is worse than slavery. I agree. That being locked out of your country is bad. But to go as far as saying that it’s worse than slavery?
That is a really really bad comparison. It trivializes slavery. Makes you sound like a blank man. Or a blank woman.