Why Withholding Sex is a bad idea!

So I came across an article today that peaked my interest levels. It was written by Lincoln Anthony Blades in the Coco Magazine. Essentially the author was talking about a friend of his who was basically denying her man the sex because they were having communication problems.  I just want to add my 2 cents to the argument. 

Now from a male point of view thus is essentially the stupidest thing a woman can do. Taking away sex just to prove a point. But the more I thought about it the more I realized that this is the logical female solution to most problems they encounter.  I mean women have been using the power of the vagina since the inception of time. But more often than not they use it for the wrong reasons and therefore reap inadequate or insufficient rewards. 

Take the whole lack of communication thing. Why the hell would you think that denying a man sex is going to help with your communication problems. Lets be realistic most men are horny bastards, we think about it constantly. When we are not getting it we are more akin to crack addict who ain't had a hit for days. So if we are not actually getting any for awhile obviously we are going to be a bit cranky. But to make matters worse we then gave to deal with the fact that our girl is withholding it just because she feels we need to communicate better. This is a  disaster just waiting to happen. 

If you ask me communication problems are a desperate plea for sex. What better way to communicate than by having sex and fulfilling each others carnal desires. You can start the communication during the act. She can say how she wants it, you comply, communication. You ask how good it is she replies, sounds like communication to me. 

But seriously as adults we can't continue to try to make things better in a relationship by taking away something that can actually help the situation.  

We are not kids anymore therefore we must realize that this whole idea of taking something away to get something else is extremely childish and pointless. Their are other ways to solve problems and we're adults, we should be able to figure them out. 

Legalize it for the Economy...Not so sure!

Truth be told I've been debating writing about this topic for awhile now. I've been quietly observing the outlook of the masses and struggling with whether or not my view may or may not bring forth certain repercussions. 

A couple weeks ago at a Caricom meeting the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago finally let the cat out of the bag when she alluded to the fact that she's willing to consult the populous of her country in regards to the possible decriminalization of marijuana. 

Now this topic has been getting quite a bit of coverage due to the recent legislation that has been passed and considered in a number if US states. So it really comes as no surprise that the nations of Caricom seem to be willing to jump on the decriminalization or legalization band wagon. Thanks to globalization that's just what we as Caribbean nations do, follow the trend. But I'll leave that discussion for another rant. 

To be honest with you I've always felt that the decriminalization and or legalization of marijuana is something that is simply bound to happen and the only reason it hasn't taken place is due to the fact that the powers that be haven't found an adequate method by which to make money off of the product. 

That said I actually applaud the steps that the Caricom governments are taking at the moment. However I am a little concerned about the current avenue the discussions are going down. 

Firstly a lot of talk in regards to this issue has been surrounded by the economic profitability that decriminalization and legalization could bring to the region. Its no secret that from a financial standpoint the region is still struggling to come to grips with the economic crisis that rippled through the world a few years ago. Many a leader has pointed to marijuana as a potential crutch that can be used to put the Caribbean back on its feet. 

However I'm a bit skeptical about that consensus, based on a historical perspective. Those of you who are versed in your Caribbean history will remember that the first cash crop of the Caribbean was in fact Tobacco which can be likened to a not to distant relative of marijuana. It should be noted that before tobacco was produced in the Caribbean the islands that we know of today were insignificant at best. Similar to the situation they now find themselves in. 

However the production of tobacco brought a semblance a notability to the territories and a small stream of income. It should be noted that tobacco was never able to bring unprecedented profits to the Caribbean. This was due to the fact that competition was ripe, particularly in the American colonies. The availability of land led to the tobacco of the Americas being of a higher quantity and quality. 

That brings me to my point. Has the world really changed that much since the early 16th century. If the islands of Caricom are looking to marijuana as the means to economic security I believe that history has already written that chapter and the ending is not the best. 

Yes Jamaica and St Vincent and the Grenadines and Trinidad and Tobago have the ability to produce a relatively potent crop. But in reality will they be able to compete with say Colombia, Uruguay, Holland and the USA, to name a few. I think not. Therefore I think its a big mistake to pin your financial security on a crop that will most likely bring your economy minimum profits. What I do think is that extensive research and planning needs to go into this decision and a concrete plan needs to be put in place. A plan which doesn't rely on marijuana being the economic savior of the region. A savior it is not, but a short term crutch perhaps. 

There is no hiding the fact marijuana does have a place in society, I just hope the powers that be come up with the right sort of game plan to affect the change.

"Break the Law you'll be rewarded"

So once again the government of Trinidad and Tobago have thrown the middle class under the bus in favor of the poor. Now it might sound as if I have something against the poor or the less fortunate, but that can't be further from the truth. I understand that the less the fortunate among us may need a helping hand once in awhile, but I think the powers that be (in this circumstance the government) need to make better choices in regards to when and to whom they lend a helping hand. 

Case in point being the highway resettlement scheme.  We all know the story pretty well but allow me to paraphrase it briefly for those who live under the proverbial rock. So the government decides that it needs to build a highway and the route will basically cut through a number of settlements. The government is then required to resettle those persons who will be affected by the construction (how sweet!) However a number of these persons had illegally squatted on the land to be used for the construction of the highway. 

Here is were the government makes their boo boo. These squatters are then to be provided with land valued at around 200,000 TT dollars (which could increase to 600,000 TT dollars) and are then required to pay something like 50,000 for it over the course of 30 or so years. So essentially these people who have broken the law are getting an unbelievable gift. Seems to me as if it pays to break the law! 

But my biggest issue is the fact that you have a large number of middle class working people who have been attempting to acquire land for ages and would jump at the chance of owning a piece of land and are more than willing to pay market price for it. Why is the government continuing to reward improper or bad behavior when you have a group of people who have done all the society requires of them but get nothing The norms of society dictate that you should do the following things. Finish secondary school, go on to University get a degree and find a job. The majority of the middle class have followed this norm to a 'T', but yet they can't purchase a house or a piece of land for whatever the reason. In my eyes it would make more sense to reward these persons for their drive and their current accomplishments. 

That said everything in this world is based on money and profit. Show me a government that is not concerned about money and I'll show you a bunch of idiots. Therefore wouldn't it make sense to offer this opportunity to a group of people who could afford market price. Wouldn't this lead to some form of substantial profit being made by the government instead of the possible losses that they will probably incur by essentially giving the land away. To make matters worse if a loss is actually incurred the government is more than likely going to look towards taxation as a means to recouping its losses. Who do you think is going to have to bar the brunt of this taxation, yup you guessed it, the middle class. 

To often in this country the government rewards the poor in order to keep them under their authority. The poorer classes are much easier to manipulate and control than the aforementioned middle class. I get that and I understand it. But a stronger middle class would be way more beneficial to the country than a large class of poor individuals who are constantly clamoring for a handout from the government. 

Let me reiterate that I have nothing against the poor however I feel as if the country would be in a much better state if the government refrained from rewarding criminal acts. The strength of every country should be based on its middle class, because essentially they are the ones who have the best opportunity to move the country forward.  

Also the message that this sends to the population is that you should do right but don't expect any rewards for it. What type of motivation is that? All that is going to do is motivate more persons to look for the easy way out of all situations and that my friends will undoubtedly lead to more chaos than we a actually need at the moment.

My Problem with the 2014 International Soca Monarch

Now this might not be the most accurate of my publications due to the fact that I was lubricating my insides with alcoholic beverages as I was watching, but I just want to say a few words about the 2014 Soca Monarch competition. 

Throughout the run up to Fantastic Friday their had been countless commercials run on TV and radio describing the event as the biggest and best thing to hit Trinidad in years. If I'm not mistaken a comparison was made between Soca Monarch and the Grammy's.  

Now I am not the greatest proponent of Soca music, it is fairly low on my top genres, however I feel events such as Soca Monarch have the ability to raise the profile of the genre considerably and convert the non believer's such as myself.  

The event itself has the ability to be a much better presentation of the unique culture that is Trinidad and Tobago and by extension the West Indies. However a few things may need tweaking in order for that to happen. 

First things first, the actual broadcasting of the event needs quite a bit of work in my eyes. The actual hosting of the event is something that the powers be should look at. I felt that the TV hosts of the show should have a little more background in the actual soca/music industry. Take for example when a sports event is televised live, their is usually one ex player alongside someone who has a background or qualifications in media training. That was not evident in the Soca Monarch production on Friday evening. 

I also felt that the production of the actual show for Television audiences was extremely substandard. I realize that this was a live event and therefore some things can't be helped. But on many occasions parts of the after performance interviews were cut by incoming and outgoing commercials. The questioning by the interviewers could have also been of a better standard. An interviewer more knowledge or one who is more in touch with the soca industry may have been able to bring a little more excitement to the process. 

At the end of the day, the powers that be need to realize that they are in fact catering for two audiences in regards to the Soca Monarch competition. They have the crowd which is there for the show and the millions who are watching it via tv or live streams. If they have any intention to bring soca music to the world the production of this showcase needs to be addressed. The organizers of this event need to start to think outside the box a bit more in order to cater for their two distinct audiences especially if they want to mention The Grammy's and Soca Monarch in the same sentence.