Some questions for that ‘turning tables’ writer

Response to Karl Jacobson’s letter of December 4, “Turning tables on Watchtower”:

First of all I must say that I am not a Jehovah’s Witness. I lime plenty, drink, smoke and use obscene language but do read their magazines often and the information is parallel with the Bible.

I have noticed that you question the authors of the magazines and I have many questions for you. I really hope you answer them since you seem to know.

First of all, in answer to you, the authors of the magazines are the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania. Jehovah’s Witnesses believe in an organisation, not one man such as Benny Hinn etc.

Secondly, the answer to the question of them comparing Jesus Christ to Adam would be too long since they in no way do that because there are many books by the Witnesses about Jesus Christ and his importance, their prayers in meetings, their teachings that Jesus in 1914 has been appointed King.

The last answer to your statement that they want to “trap the poorly uninformed reader” is that you cannot become a Jehovah’s Witness overnight. You must have many Bible studies and have accurate knowledge of the Bible and this can take many years. I have been baptised many times as a Pentecostal, Roman Catholic etc with no Bible knowledge.

Now let me ask you some questions since you seem to know and can inform me.

What is God’s name? Is Jesus Christ the son of God? Where in the Bible is the Trinity? What happens when you die? Did God make this Earth to destroy it? Is it not true that the original Greek and Hebrew scriptures had God’s name 7,000 times? Did not Jesus Christ give his followers commands to preach house to house to every kingdom in the entire inhabited Earth?

Do Jehovah’s Witnesses have pastors that are glorified only and wear Versace suits and then get bad names such as Jimmy Swaggart (prostitute), Jim and Tammy Baker (arrested), Evander Hollyfield (trouble with law), R Kelly (raps about drugs and prostitutes), Benny Hinn (no comment), Mace (rapper), Kirk Franklin (dresses as a gangster) etc?

Do you learn the Bible in these places of worship? What messages have you learnt from these famous people above? How much money do you have to give there? I know TBN asks for some donations but I am not sure how much because the hosts are always crying.

Go to the Kingdom Hall nearest you. I have been many times and have not given a cent for years and trust me, the elders there have not bought Versace suits with my money nor do they ask me for money. They are just always happy to see me.

I have many more questions for you in time and await your answers to those questions that I have asked you. In case you don’t know you can ask your authors William J Schnell, Doug Harris or anyone else.

Alex Lee, Port-of-Spain

J’Ouvert behaviour by Minister Ross

Joseph Ross, the Tourism Minister, should be hauled before the parliamentary Privileges Committee for his profane act of displaying two cucumbers in the House of Representatives.

This J’Ouvert behaviour showed wanton disrespect not only for the seat of government but also for the women MPs present, members of the public and those viewing the Parliamentary Channel. 

Of course it was a big joke for the government side, which is indicative of the way they view agriculture and food production—as one big silly joke. This is the idiotic behaviour of the big men and women who govern us and who are supposed to serve us. This is the vulgarity played out in the Lower House that we must tolerate and accept.

It is s time to put an end to this uncivility and I strongly condemn Minister Ross and those on the Government benches. Enough is enough. It is time they get serious with the country’s business.

Cher Ramlakhan

Union Hall, San Fernando

Tomato price already greater than crude

On December 5, a Member of Parliament alleged, facetiously perhaps, that the price of tomatoes will be greater than the price of crude oil. This to the amusement of his parliamentary colleagues. Well, there’s many a true word spoken in jest, for the price of tomatoes has already exceeded the price of crude oil.

Here is the calculation: tomatoes are retailing at about $14 a pound, say about $30 a kilogram, or US$5 a kilogram. A barrel of crude (this barrel, a term used in the petroleum industry, is not as locals would think of a 55-gallon drum) is at about US$40. One can pack about 20 kilograms of tomatoes into a barrel (petroleum crude) and the cost would therefore be US$100.

It would be amusing for anyone to cost a 55-gallon drum of gasoline (an end product of crude oil) against a 55-gallon drum of tomato paste (used to manufacture ketchup as the end product). I leave this for any enterprising person so to do. I guarantee total disbelief.

Marsood Khan

La Florissante

T&T must ‘dress up’ for summit

If I had a job interview, I’d want to look the part of success, I’d want to dress to impress my interviewer. Your dress communicates who you are and we’re all aware of the old adages: a picture says a thousand words and first impressions last.

Your interviewer will formulate an opinion of you based only on how you look. From the moment they lay eyes on you, they know whether or not they want to offer you the job.

This is how I see the Summit of the Americas and the amount of negative comments I’ve been hearing. With every negative thing we say, we continue to talk ourselves out of a very lucrative job.

It’s only obvious that we’d have to spend in order to prepare for the event. Let’s look at this from the perspective of the job interview again.

If you get called to an interview for a job that pays very well and you want to look professional, if you don’t already own one, wouldn’t you go out and buy a really nice and appropriate dress or suit for the occasion?

And even if you don’t have the means (and T&T does have the means to host the summit), wouldn’t you spend the money if you think that it would help improve your chances of landing the job? Of course you would, because you know that in the long run it will pay off.

That’s how I see the Summit of the Americas: we’re being interviewed by a panel (the world) for a very lucrative position. The way we present ourselves will determine how well we do at that interview, so it’s very important to dress for success.

We’ve complained in the past of how little this region is covered by the international media and how that little coverage—except for the areas of sport and culture—does not highlight the positives and possibilities of T&T to the world.

This summit is the perfect forum to showcase our potential to the world. If that were the case, would you spare any expense in preparing for such?

Amanda Lee Young

Via e-mail

Opposition unity can’t wait on Bas

When will UNC-A MPs bite the bullet and decide that Basdeo Panday must ride out into the sunset?

Panday has overstayed his welcome in T&T politics and it’s a known fact that opposition unity will never take place under his umbrella.

Bas’ trump card is the old NJAC mantra: “Let the people decide.” He knows he is still popular like a roti and red Solo with Pandayites.

Opposition unity can no longer wait on the whims of Bas. Pretty soon UNC-A MPs will come to the crossroads of: do we want opposition unity or do we leave Bas alone with the UNC-A? Interesting times are ahead.

Keith Anderson

Belmont, PoS

Limit terms of prime minister

As a young voter in T&T, I find it difficult to understand why some of the older politicians like to cling on to office. Why can’t we learn from the American experience where that country voted for change and accepted a virtual newcomer as their President-elect?

In T&T, the experienced politicians are attracted to power so much that they find it hard to leave without creating tension to the detriment of an entire political party.

Case in point is the refusal of Basdeo Panday to step down as leader of the UNC-A and make way for fresh leadership. Our country is crying out for change but Panday refuses to budge.     

I support Jack Warner’s call for change as he represents an attempt to start anew.

Perhaps the time has come to amend our Constitution to limit the terms for prime minister. That way when their time is up, they must by law give way to fresh political blood.

Devon Singh

Couva

Christmas Countdown

By Christmas of 01, the mood  was one of glee

Up with the balisier and down with the jhandi.

By Christmas of 02, the people said to me

No more corruption by Bas and de UNC

De PNM in power, time now for you an’ me.

By Christmas of 03, the same people said to me

Criminals get too bold-faced and we doh want Chin Lee.

By Christmas of 04, the people cried “no more”

Martin Joseph is afraid and crime and prices killing we with misery.

Father put a han’, de balisier have centipede.

By Christmas of 05, the country was alive

Patrick’s bet on a private jet took a quick nose dive.

By Christmas of 06, Manning tried new tricks

Ellis bring a paper forth—a Constitution for Manning to “fix.”

By Christmas of 07, Manning was in seventh heaven

An election pass and from north to south he buss dey a---.

By Christmas of 08, the PNM is no longer great

De people mad an’ behaving bad

Money and fun suddenly done.

Christmas of 09 will be doom and gloom,

As all clearly see what de balisier did to T&T—again

And by Christmas of 2010, I predict de balisier will meet its end.

Vision 2020?

TG Mendes

Via e-mail

Look out for people with stones, father

I was quite pleased with Fr Charles’ recent article on leadership and the decreased value of “strong leadership.”

My only concern is that as part of all ethical discussions one must be mindful of personal expressions which may not be in step with those of the organisation one publicly represents. Or as the proverb says, “people living in glass houses should not pelt stones.”

Andy Moore

Via e-mail

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