Prevent this ransom tragedy [1]
Thursday, May 11, 2006 - 18:45. Updated on Sunday, December 15, 2013 - 23:16.
Editor,
In the past couple of months, I went on a self-imposed sabbatical trying to find myself. Despite my honest effort to stay away, this twenty million dollar ransom demanded by the Crown Prince and his band of robbers begged that I return. In return for their demand, Shoreline will be returned to its rightful owner, the public. What a gutsy move for a daylight unarmed robbery. As most of you who endured my incoherent babblings from the past, I am not a big fan of Mr. Clive Edwards. I disagreed with him because of ideological and personal opinions on varieties of issues. Nothing personal! However, in his argument against paying the Crown Prince's ransom note, I totally agree with him. There should be a check mark for this rare unity.
While I was away, I read a few books about the kingdom...s past. One interesting note though, it was almost a rare occasion for a Tu'i Kanokupolu to last ten years. Most of them were bored with being king so they vacated the title and went out to look for real jobs. On top of that, the person who became the Tu'i Kanokupolu was selected by the Chiefs not the other way around. For example, after the murder of Tuku'aho, Ulukalala placed a pig as the Tu'i Kanokupolu. The Chiefs of Hihifo butchered that pig. Ulukalala replaced that king (that pig) with another pig. It was King Tupou I who gave the Tu'i Kanokupolu the respect (ngeia mo e mamalu ...o e lakanga). King Tupou II did not go through the ...School of Hard Knocks... to become king. He inherited the title and with it the irresponsible behavior we are witnessing today. Who knows, tomorrow, it could be, ...The Robber Who Becomes King....
Disappointment
Also, my disappointment with our new Prime Minister is beginning to get the best of me. He has been the official Prime Mover for over two months and I have not seen a whole lot of shaking other than the earthquake. I am disappointed for his endorsement of this ransom demanded by the ...Shoreline Robbers.... Where are his visions? What direction (economic, political, etc.) does he wants the kingdom to go? I am looking for that. Forgiveness is a deep rooted Tongan nature. Forgiving others especially our ...Eiki... are done without second thoughts. It is the aftermath of forgiveness that worries me. We pay the ransom, forgive the Crown Prince, and we suffer the cost of paying back the loan. In the end, China will repossess 'Eua as payment for our unpaid loan to pay the ransom. Mr. Prime Minister, we want you to lead the country, not the Cheerleader for the Crown Prince. What is worse than an offender is a leader who fails to lead.
Finally, I am still disturbed by the lack of planning at the strategic level from the ...People...s... side.
The Royal family felt the public's wrath during the PSA...s strike. They felt pressured, moved in made a deal thus deflated the situation and return to the status quo. Meanwhile, the ...People's Party... are nowhere to be found. Pressure should have been placed incessantly on the Royal Family to prevent this ransom tragedy. Where is that pressure? The Shoreline Investors moved in and took over power generation from the TEPB. ...Foaki mola... is harsh in describing this generous giveaway. Now they want to give it back for 20 million big ones?
I don't know about you, but my suggestion is this: offer the Shoreline Robbers two options, either, take a self paid canoe ride to any country of their choosing and don...t come back, or a free minimoke ride to Tolitoli and serve hard labor for thievery. The Prime Minister should say No, and nationalize Shoreline. I am calling on the Prime Minister to make a stand and put an end to this madness. We do not care about your personal relationship with the Crown Prince, but we do care about the decisions you make that will benefit him. Your support of this ransom payment questions where your loyalty lies. You have talked the talk as ...the man for the people.... Now is your chance to show. No ransom! No Loan! No China!
Tama Foa