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| No place for a smelter | ||
DEAR EDITOR: In addition to the earthquake-and flood-prone disposition of land throughout Trinidad, the southern peninsula and sea-bed is a volcanic construction that stretches from Icacos to the Moruga forests, Poole and Piparo. The area – and, hence, the rest of the island - is at risk in parts and in whole to weakness and threats from topography (drainage/weathering/erosion), climate (storms/hurricane/tornado), plate tectonics and seismic activity, aggravating those in the volcanic geology, indefinitely. Physical events can happen randomly, separately, as a result of one another, cumulatively, in rapid succession, in one pervasive convulsion or many small catastrophes, in any combination - not so drastic and drastic. In the south eruption can occur anywhere, e.g. rock island off Chatham reaching up from under the sea bed – even right beneath a smelter; or, land might just collapse, or both. The effects in the sub-structure of extracting asphalt, gas and oil over the long term will only worsen the risks and dangers (likelihoods of occurring and consequences). Changes in site and area geology can take place irrespective of today’s tests’ assurances. Unlike the situation where a smelter is built on a continental mass, here, leaks, disasters and what have you will impact the whole people/land as well as other countries. It is simply not a place for a smelter. This is not alarmism, dramatism, irrationality or adversarial-ism. It is not even a position or opinion. It is reality. It has been ignored in the development of Pointe-à-Pierre and Pt Lisas. As with linking cancer to the smelter, advance admission has moral, legal and political ramification. All are being avoided. Instead, they have prioritised the oncology unit and reduced our “participation” to an invited debate and an election result, adolescent-appeal style. The Government has no alternative vision and, just when a clear choice would win an election, the Opposition split. It signalled to everyone that if the election went running back to the former Leader of the Opposition, there would be no choice then either. Illegal security commitments and lock-down arrangements have been made and the country is being handed into “freedom of information”, “ICT” and “sunset” networks, ensuring a determined place in US economic security/insecurity, regardless of who wins the election. That is a system of protection that is a government unto itself. So, will they get uranium from asphalt pyrolysis or just research it? |
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| 'Resurrexit' a collector's item | ||
DEAR EDITOR: It is a joy to read about the many musical presentations, which are taking place in our Church, many of them for charity. The performance of the Sacred Heart Traditional choir led by Molly Guy and her team has had an influence that has reached young singers with new verve and vibrancy. They ought to be congratulated, especially when it is considered that the proceeds go to charity. The Sacred Heart Traditional Choir is still one of our best choirs. Their CD Resurrexit is a collector’s item and a gift for all. |
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| Are we partying with God now? | ||
THE EDITOR: Re your front page photo in the December 10 online issue: Having been an acolyte in Trinidad in the days when any processional up the aisle of a church was led by a crucifix carried solemnly by an altar server or priest, I looked at this photo, captioned “.... dances up the aisle...”, and others similar to it in past issues, with a feeling somewhat like revulsion. I mean no offence to the, no doubt, joyfully motivated person(s) in the photos, and of course I recognise that this form of liturgy must be officially sanctioned by the Church. However, isn't the church a place of worship? I know someone will quote to me a scriptural reference to “making a joyful noise” in worshipping, but somehow I can't believe that that means that the congregation is there to party with their “Buddy” above. In the traditional liturgy, one was focused on worship, and there was no attempt to pretend that worship was something like entertainment. It was a sublimating experience. It must be hard to get involved with the symbolism of the liturgy when one has to figure out one's dance steps or is distracted observing whether the dancing is up to par, or when the music reminds one of the current Top Ten on the radio. Is it too much to hope that dancing be reserved for the aisles of a theatre or place of entertainment rather than those of the church? |
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| God is forever alive | ||
God is everywhere holding our hand, Don’t ask God for help and expect it right away, Think positive and go forward singing alleluia to the Lord, Sue Jerome Scott |
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FROM THE EDITORS | |
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