Probing Deeply...

All of a sudden Trinidad seems to have moved from being a place where nothing mattered to one where everything matters. I do not know if it is because of the sheer number of Attorneys currently practicing needing work, but as everything that is being questioned wants to generate an expensive enquiry or probe, and based on the all 'of a sudden' and numerous requests for probes by certain highly placed officials, I thought I would take a look around myself and see who else could benefit from a good probing as well.

I did not have to look further than the daily newspapers where there seems to be countless probes into anything that stands still long enough. Take for instance the fracas at the pan semi-finals last weekend, where Head of the Mounted Branch Supt. Wayne Dick  called for a probe into whoever was responsible for the rough play took place. Police spokesman Sgt. Wayne Mystar, who should have suggested that perhaps everyone should have put their batons away, insisted instead that "The officers acted in an appropriate manner and acted lawfully” should also be probed in my view. Some say that if there is any justice in this world, whosoever was responsible for that lack of anything like a security plan for such a sizable and predictable event should also be probed. Head of Pan Trinbago Keith Diaz, in an attempt to head off any probe into his business distanced himself from the fence idea but said any probes would be welcome as he wanted to get to the bottom of things.

With Attorney General Anand Ramlogan probing Deputy Commissioner Ewatski at the Prime Minister's behest and the Police Service Commission probing Commissioner Gibbs, it may only be a matter of time before things become explosive at the top of the Police Service. Others in the know see nothing to be concerned about as a lot of probing has been going on in the service for quite some time.

Crime Watch star Ian Alleyne who has made a success of probing and does not seem to care who knows it, makes no apologies for his brash probing style. He has set his sights on the Top Cop position and does not mind who he has to probe to get it. Together with his dream team of Attorney Om Lalla and businessman Davy Boodoosingh he has threatened to remain probing long into the future regardless, and has sent a cryptic message that “he coming hard, and who doh hear will feel.”

Also on the topic of probes in the media, Foreign Affairs Minister Suruj Rambachan, who seems to be proud of his own probing prowess has allegedly probed former CNMG Board Chairman Brian Stone completely out the door. Eerily similar to the time he attempted to probe morning show host Fazeer Mohammed live and on air, many say Stone knew what was coming and, like Fazeer, opted to run away instead. The formerly vociferous Chairman and Party loyalist for his part seems satisfied and has reportedly said that this opportunity would free him up to do more probing of his own.

The Minister of Health (a urologist comfortable working in tight spaces), in trying to keep a firm hand on things has decided to probe the junior doctors and some of them are pushing back hard. He has also signaled his intent to probe members of the Pharmaceuticals Board and just about anyone else who get's in his way.

Chandresh Sharma, a swordsman of some repute seems bent on probing the Mayor of Port of Spain much to the Mayor's dismay. His Worship, himself no stranger to probes has decided to stand firm and cross swords with the erstwhile Minister, causing many to look away over a situation that seems to be becoming more and more personal.

Also on the issue of public displays of questionable intentions is the fiery relationship between Leader of the Opposition Keith Rowley and the Attorney General Anand Ramlogan, who seems to have taken a special interest in Dr. Rowley and has allegedly probed him repeatedly. Spokespersons for him (Rowley) said the Opposition Leader would like an opportunity to probe back has not found his footing as yet and so the thrust remains one sided and hoisted on whatever the AG chooses to erect at that time.

Sports Minister Anil Roberts who is allegedly being quietly probed by the Integrity Commission is reportedly cooperating fully and has laid himself bare as he says he has nothing to hide. Some in the know have hinted that some measure of modesty should be called for here, but if Anil chooses to throw caution to the wind then it should be entirely up to him. Others who prefer to remain anonymous say he should have known things would heat up to this point when he chose to get into bed with questionable characters, but again his choices are his own.

There seems to be no let up in sight and as the Carnival season heats up there is the expectation that the probing situation is going to heat up also. Many who find themselves exposed are best advised to keep their backs to the wall so as to avoid being open to unexpected probing, unless of course they have nothing to hide.