Who is Watching the Watchmen?

Journalism is a right and noble profession to which we look for truth, justice and accountability.

A robust news media operating freely in society allows us to expect transparency and responsibility from our leaders, our law makers, our law enforcers, our courts and ourselves.

Cartel Watch cringes over something we read in the papers every single morning. Over the past 4 days, we’ve been treated to cringe-inducing tripe from nearly every outlet regarding some construction project up in Arima.

And it’s all with thanks to Sasha Mohammed. She is an embarrassment to her profession, and Cartel Watch dearly wishes we had the opportunity to tell her so personally. CCN TV6 should sack her immediately along with the producers who have aided and abetted her years of pathetic “journalism”.

We know she’s a mistress of an opposition MP -- Paging Dr. Gopeesingh -- Paging Dr. Gopeesingh --we know she’s bought and paid for. Look at the front page of today’s Express promoting her upcoming report on the “Fall” of Panday. Do we doubt that her lover was involved in the back-stabbing hack job to eliminate old Bas? Do we doubt that her story will quote handfuls of uncited sources and include all sorts of privileged and unsubstantiated information? It’s a matter of course for Sasha.

Take the latest case of the church: is it only Cartel Watch who notices that there is not one single first-hand source for her latest supposed controversy? Her most recent concocted episode of “who said/who built/who didn’t say” is certainly filling up the white space in our beloved TT dailies, yet we’ve seen less than a shred of evidence to prove any of the statements and allegations Sasha has made.

What have we seen so far with we eyes? A photo of the construction site! A photo mysteriously and ominously “delivered” to Jack Warner.

(Yes, THAT Jack Warner.)

What sort of story can we derive from a photo of a concrete pylons on a dirt field? Just dip into Sasha’s imagination and find out!

On second thought, don’t. You will emerge stupider after the exercise and I do not want to be held liable for the damages.

Our only question is, please, Sasha, tell us: did anyone see fairies placing the cornerstone of the church?

Now based on Sasha's poor performance we have to watch the cascading (or is it snowballing?) effects of substandard journalism. One newspaper reports what another newspaper has reported from another newspaper which draws its information from a television station's previous reporting.

Anybody catch that? Not a single source of real verifiable information.

This is the worst kind of journalism and beneath all of us. The editors and journalists should be embarrassed. If they have a real story, they should report it the right way: with sources.

Alas, this is what we are subjected to from the sad-sack news media in this country. There appears to be no expectation of professionalism, ethics or accountability in the news media, and the people suffer. There are some bright spots in the dark sky, such as William Lucie-Smith who writes commentary in the Express, but we must expect more objectivity and more factual reporting.

The TT media must hold themselves to a higher standard or we face nothing but perpetual Third World status from now into eternity. Trinidad and Tobago deserve better. Trinidad and Tobago must be better.

Tell the editors and the producers and the politicians and anyone who will listen: we will not be led on a masquerade to hell by Sasha Mohammed, Ria Taitt, Andre Bagoo and the other bought-and-paid-for journalists of this country.

Jack Warner: The Colossus of Cartel

Jack Warner has so much money and so much power that he operates like rules, laws, morals and ethics do not even apply. Jack Warner is a Colossus of Cartel.

Whether in sport or in politics, Mr Warner re-defines the modern cartel. Crooked he may be, but he is no common crooked politician. He is not even a common corrupt sporting official. Jack Warner has risen above these centuries-old models of self-aggrandizement and self-interest, to become something even more powerful.





Like the Colossus of Rhodes of ancient times, this Colossus of Cartel stands on two sturdy legs with two formidable arms and a determination to terrify all within his reach for his own benefit and most often at the detriment of the average hard working Trini. Warner, Colossus of Cartel, stands on legs of incalculable wealth. His right arm is the 35 FIFA votes of North America, Central America and the Caribbean that he is rumored to have sold many times over to the highest bidder. His left arm is the entire UNC party apparatus that he controls like a puppet master. His shield is the media. Warner the Colossus rules by fear.


This is where Cartel Watch believes Jack Warner stands out in a crowd of the corrupt. Warner is not merely reliant on money for influence. And he is not hamstrung by crude violence as a tool for inspiring fear. With his unmatched ability to giveth and taketh away 35 FIFA votes and his ability to give and taketh away political power at a whim, he positions himself to build up or destroy anything or anyone he pleases. Even if its the reputation of his beloved country of Trinidad and Tobago.


If the Colossus of Cartel can control the most popular sport in the world, what else is there? Neither the President of the United States, nor the Secretary General of the United Nations could twist an arm like Jack Warner. Word has it that Barack Obama’s visit to Trinidad and Tobago had as much to do with appeasing the Colossus of Cartel as it did international diplomacy. Cartel Watch wonders if Jack Warner is beyond control. It is left to the people and the blogosphere to stand up to the Colossus. We call for an Inquiry into the real workings of the Colussus of Cartel, Jack Warner, and we demand an indictment.

Rowley Limin wit Elias

Cartel Watch always finds it interesting to note what kind of company the wealthy and powerful keep. This weekend we were witness to the political and social pairing of the decade.

It will come as no surprise for you, dear reader, to hear that a good mix of the elite mingled and wined the night away at the immortal Brian Lara's home Sunday night, where Mr Lara may have set a new world record for hospitality.

Who were the most powerful among the mix, you ask?

Eagerly indulging in Mr Lara's kindness were two of Cartel Watch's least favorite power players: Mr Emile Elias and Dr Keith Rowley. Each with an entourage, of course.

One can only imagine how it steams Elias to show up at Mr Lara's home, knowing his companies were passed over to build the Brian Lara Cricket Academy. Elias must lay awake at night wishing he could lord that beautiful stadium over Mr Lara and all the rest of us. At least we know Brian Lara doesn't need Elias' crooked money. Dr Rowley, on the other hand...

Rowley and Elias! That pair show no compunction about rubbing elbows right out in the open!
Sipping cognac (a nice tall Hennessy for Dr Rowley) and gazing down their noses at one and all.

They won't even do us the favor of keeping their dirty deals in private. They must think we blind!

Are they so disdainful of the people?

Are they so sure they can get away with it?

Cartel Watch will not stand for it. The people of Trinidad and Tobago will not stand for it!

We have had enough of the insider deals from Elias and his cronies. We are not afraid to expose the corruption.

We believe Trinidad and Tobago deserves better.

Oh, Dr. Rowley… Where does one begin?

His politics have quickly fallen into a bi-polar pattern of holy-than-thou grandstanding and tail-betwixt-his-legs groaning.
In last week’s papers he has a real go at sport and only makes himself sound silly. Here he is faulting the sporting ministry for attempting to repair and make good on old faulty business practices of the past, when only a few months ago he was a minister of this government and in real position to address any real “problems.”

So where is the real problem? Is it with the Ministry or the Minister of Sport? Or is it really with Keith Rowley, now spurned by the PNM and supported by his construction mogul pal Emile Elias? (Does anyone wonder how frustrated Mr. Elias must be by the new ethical contracting procedures of the Ministry of Sport?)

As far as third-world Elias is concerned, Rowley is finally in the perfect position to play the concerned public servant when we all know that a real leader and a real patriot would have done so much more than carp from the sidelines.

Which brings us to the other side of Dr Rowley’s two-sided politics these days. When he’s not gazing down upon his former colleagues in the cabinet, casting aspersions, there he sulks in the corner… a lowly “back-bencher”. He claims he must support the TTRA, for… what in heaven’s could a back-bencher possibly do?

A leader speaks up! That’s what. Oh, but perhaps Rowley’s silence on the TTRA matter reveals that Mr Elias is showing his tacit support for the TTRA. Elias is keeping his attack dog quiet on the matter. (Note to self: find out what Elias has to gain from new TTRA!)

At least during Carnival we will get a break from Rowley’s near constant bickering and complaining. Maybe a few of whining will do him some good, and remind him that a public servant’s duty is to act – and act in the interest of all – not just for his and his associates’ interests.

Thank You Ria Taitt For Even More Irresponsible and Biased Journalism!

Cartel Watch just can’t be holding de tongue any longer. Something is going on with Ria Taitt of The Express, and it is worth giving a second look into.

You read, you read and you read Taitt’s political coverage, and over time you start to notice a pattern. In fact we’ve analyzed over 100 articles Taitt has written over the last few months. She clearly has an unrelenting reliance on Dr. Keith Rowley as a source and an inspiration for her stories. Wonder what is in it for Dr. Rowley?

Others have noticed that she even appears to have, shall we say… “special access” which is denied to the rest of our beloved press corps.

The Newsday has a story titled "PNM silent on Eric", with this sentence: 'Health Minister Jerry Narace, who is also PNM public relations officer, said the party does not comment on matters which are before the court or decisions of the court.

But when one searches, Ria Taitt of the Express has a story titled "...Happiness in PNM camp at decision". She has lengthy interviews with Dr Keith Rowley, party vice-chairman John Donaldson, and former MP Larry Achong.Thanks, Media Watch

We have done we research, and, yes, Ria will occasionally balance herself by penning a less-than-rosy piece about Dr Rowley, but these articles are very few, far between and rarely scratch the surface on such real truths. The evidence of her special access and apparently “special” relationship with Rowley is enough to raise we eyebrows and enough to wonder why? What an embarrassment for the journalists of sweet T&T. We must have a responsible and trustworthy “fourth estate” if we are to hold de government, the parliament, the private sector accountable. Do you trust Ria Taitt? We wonder what motives she has and why the Editors at The Express have disciplined her and held her to accountable journalistic standards? Perhaps we should keep our Cartel Watch eyes open for any “special” meetings with Dr Rowley and Andre Bagoo for the real truths!

Stay tuned for more on Ria Taitt and Andre Bagoo’s sensational journalism soon.

What ya been hearin round town, Carl Khan? How much you been paid.

It’s funny what one overhears when one listens carefully these days. A lot of buzz about Carnival. Of course. A little talk about Haiti, UNC elections and de UDeCOTT. But the most interesting chatter of all floated my way over a nice little piece of fish near Freeport: Carl Khan, the humble chicken farmer, doesn’t testify for free. [Put down fork and perk up, Cartel Watcher!] I couldn’t believe my ears until the details started flooding in from this loud and conspicuous chatterbox.

Mr Khan, the humble chicken farmer and Sherrine Hart’s ex-husband, hasn’t quite got over lost love. Mr. Elias, kingpin, hasn’t quite got over billions in lost contracts. And there was Dr Keith Rowley, so faithfully, who hasn’t quite got over his fall from power. What a powerful alliance they’ve formed against de Government. What an influential pact they’ve signed to build themselves up and tear their enemies down. It’s a shame that Carl Khan, the humble chicken farmer, appears to have become a well-paid puppet in all this activity. Hell hath no fury like a chicken farmer scorned, they say!

Minding my own and enjoying my fish, I’m treated to a university-level course in scandal about Elias, Khan and Rowley. This Cartel Watcher may start taking lunch in Diego Martin in order to pick up more news on Rowley and his pals. Maybe we'll find out just how much Carl Khan is paid for such blatant disregard for the truth. We will keep our ears listening, and let’s hope we don’t end up like Ganga Singh!