What should happen after the THA travels?

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A broader perspective is always gained when individuals travel abroad. Greater awareness of how the world operates, envisioning ways of doing things differently and even the opportunities to casually observe are some of the benefits that are derived because of travel. When individuals travel, they do so at their own expense and they are not accountable to anyone regarding their trips because they were on private business.

This editorial will address the issue of accountability when members of the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) travel. We do not object to international travel by the THA because it broadens and builds local capacity. However, we strongly appeal to and encourage the THA to address the issue of accountability, which is essential to overseas travel. This is travel on the expense of the people of Trinidad and Tobago; as a result, such public accountability is demanded.

Whey de money gone? is a familiar saying to many of us; it is a question which is asked time and time again. The people of Trinidad, and more so Tobago, have a right to an answer. Currently, members of the Division of Tourism and Transportation are on a road show in Scandinavia. Recently, the Division of Community Development and Culture returned from New York after attending Fashion Week. Members from the Divisions of Tourism, Finance and Community Development went to Canada during the month of July. Additionally, the Division of Agriculture, Marine Affairs, Marketing and the Environment took a trip to Cuba and Jamaica. Again, we do not object to travel, but we must ask the question: how much money was spent on these trips?

While we cannot measure the possible lasting benefits and value of these trips only in dollars and cents for a small island developing state, we must ensure that we are getting value for money. The tangible benefits from these trips must be reported and the financial cost to the taxpayers of Trinidad and Tobago must be calculated. Furthermore, the intangible benefits of these trips must be sought and quantified, along with a qualitative narrative so these trips do not become end alls.

The point is that all of this travelling must amount to more than individual benefits with little to no accountable. We cannot stress the importance of the transfer of knowledge because it provides the foundation and basis for justification when tax dollars are spent.

The Tobago House of Assembly must go beyond the press releases to providing concrete data, hard facts and next steps. These trips cannot amount to yearly getaways wherever the next world travel market is held. They must be done in a systematic way that yields far-reaching benefit to our developing state. The first step is financial accountability followed by actions of transparency, where we see the transfer to knowledge that ultimately benefits the population.

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What should happen after the THA travels?

The Long Rant; Spirituality, Illuminati, fear, mongering ……fun stuff – Video

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The Long Rant; Spirituality, Illuminati, fear, mongering ......fun stuff
Along with tons of other stuff.... I kinda outdid it on this one. It #39;s long. But it was fun to make 😉 Sorry people disagree...but that #39;s the world we live in. I welcome your opinion, if you...

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The Long Rant; Spirituality, Illuminati, fear, mongering ......fun stuff - Video

How to KNOW God || Active Spirituality The 4 Pillars Of Your Life: Marshall Vian Summers – Video

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How to KNOW God || Active Spirituality The 4 Pillars Of Your Life: Marshall Vian Summers
http://www.NewMessage.org is a path to God and a path of contribution in the world. It engages you in solving the two most fundamental questions in life: Who am I? and Why am I here?

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How to KNOW God || Active Spirituality The 4 Pillars Of Your Life: Marshall Vian Summers - Video

CNU Prof. Schweig talks religion and spirituality

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Spirituality 'understood by what it is not' by Urvi Singhania | Sep 21 2014 | 2 hours ago

Christopher Newport Religion Prof. Graham Schweig gave a lecture in Newcomb Friday titled Spiritual but Not Religious. Schweig, who earned a doctorate degree in comparative religion from Harvard, is an author, a scholar and a yogi. His books, including his translation of the Bhagavad Gita, are widely acclaimed.

His talk focused on the distinction people make between spiritualism and religiosity. Religion, derived from the word religare, meaning to connect, is something understood by all. However, he said spirituality tends to be understood by what it is not, hence spiritual but not religious.

He highlighted the nature of religion and spirituality as an art, rather than science, as religion cannot be objectified.

What one loves is not debatable, Schweig said. What one holds as truth is not arguable; how one acts out of faith is non-negotiable.

He likened religion to art in a picture in a frame or silence surrounding music, saying religion helps people put their world in context.

He went on to briefly narrate the tale of Six Blind Men and the Elephant, where each of the men thought the elephant was something different including a fan and a wall rope depending on the part of it they touched. Individually, in Schweigs opinion, they were all correct in their own ways, calling truth a matter of perception.

Schweig said different religions do the same thing thinking their religion is the whole, rather than a part of a whole.

God is too big to fit into one religion, he said.

Schweig also spoke about the differences in religious beliefs between the West and the East.

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CNU Prof. Schweig talks religion and spirituality

SpaceX Dragon v2 Selected to Transport U.S. Astronauts to the Space Station – Video

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SpaceX Dragon v2 Selected to Transport U.S. Astronauts to the Space Station
SpaceX Dragon Version 2 to Transport U.S. Astronauts to the International Space Station. The Dragon version 2 spacecraft in development by SpaceX of Hawthorne, California, will advance beyond...

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SpaceX Dragon v2 Selected to Transport U.S. Astronauts to the Space Station - Video