On another note, the behaviour of Basdeo Panday after his loss was childish and infantile. Is the the attitude of a man who wants to lead our Country? God help us all if he was successful.

Great site by the way and keep up the good work!

http://tntpolitics.blogspot.com

I also—partially—agree with Taran’s exhortation for everyone to move on, as elections have passed. But it is still always productive to discuss these issues, even when—you’re right once again, Taran—internet penetration in this country is roughy 12%. But there are still many people out there who are eager to hear different opinions (based on reason, of course) and analysis like these are always helpful to all of us who do have the privilege of the off-stream media for the understanding of what lies beneath the surface, and to foster more racional thought between us. One day, post PNM and UNC, hopefully, more people will have access to these important “conversations!!”

To answer your hypothetical question, by the way, I have no idea if more widespread access to the internet would have changed the outcome of the elections, but I tend to think not; too many things —namely attitudes that, yes, divide us—would need to change, first. It saddens me to admit that.

This is a great site, by the way. Congratulations!!

“The PNM focused on the poor – nevermind that many (including myself) believe that they keep the lower income folks.”

When it should read:

“The PNM focused on the poor – nevermind that many (including myself) believe that they keep the lower income folks at that level.”

The PNM focused on the poor – nevermind that many (including myself) believe that they keep the lower income folks. The UNC attempts to do the same and has been failing for quite some time, blissfully continuing along and repeating the errors which make it such a weak party despite such vocal support.

To make that point colloquially, the nutsman is heard by all – but the nutsman is always the minority.

Enter the COP, which gave the disenfranchised a party to vote for. The UNC is blaming the COP for losing the election, and the PNM would have done the same thing.

The COP is too young, and (heaven forbid I agree with Robin Montano) failed because it targeted the middle-class which is a de facto minority – largely *because* of both the PNM and the UNC.

But none of that matters. 2007 elections are over. Move along.

What is interesting is that the COP had a large amount of support on the internet (despite UNC showing, which is largely controlled by Nigel Mahabir) – the largest amount of support if I am correct – and when one considers that Trinidad and Tobago has about 12% internet penetration, the lowest in CARICOM (really)… something comes to light.

It is hard to ignore that the technology usage and theoretical discussion of issues which happens outside of the media by those with access may be linked to COP support. There is no way to empirically measure this, but lets ask the question: If everyone in Trinidad and Tobago had internet access, would they have voted in the manner in which they did?

The racial divides only exist because of the history, which dates past my own great-uncles (Simbhoonath and Rudranath) in the Democratic Labour Party (DLP). Back then the racial and cultural divides were more representative; today the only true divides are socioeconomic.

And since we’re traipsing through history – remember how the DLP ended. Panday would do well to remember his own success in the 1976 elections… and why he won. He seems doomed to repeat the mistakes his past competitors made.

Now – beyond all of this – the real question comes. When was the last time a true census was done in this country?

I’ve always followed Argentina and South America politics, and it’s great to read local bits and pieces from around the world…

All the best – James…

Trinidad Media Arts & Culture suggests that the UNC/COP “split” reflects a caste/class divide among Trinidadian Hindus:

http://trinidadmediaartsculture.blogspot.com/2007/11/rip-cop-welcome-to-trinimad-after-pnm.html

And Jeremy Taylor argues that we’ve reverted to the political situation of the early 1980s:

http://jeremy-taylor.blogspot.com/2007/11/back-to-square-one.html

:-)

It is sad that Patrick Manning was, once again, left off the hook. No hospital in Tobago, and he builds himself a palace in Port of Spain (only ONE example.) Ironic that a wider alliance UNC/COP WOULD have certainly beaten his party, as both of them earned almost 100,000 more popular votes, combined, than the PNM. A clear indication that the PNM didn’t really “win” by majority, but out of a split-vote. And, in spite of the “win”, they couldn’t even get a total majority of seats.

What ultimately perspires of these election results is that there are, indeed, a LARGE number of citizens who want change. One can only hope 1212 will finally bring it, for the sake of democracy and real justice. And for this we will have to stop thinking “race” and start thinking “reason.” Only THEN will we be the envy of the world….

I’m so baffled by the outcome of this election. And very, very disheartened.