Editor,

There seems to be a repentant call from Temo leaders to urge the Tongan government to grant them dialogue and access in the reconstruction process. A "spin" of political damage control at its worst showing, and there is far too much destruction they have caused that can justify their involvement. While this is a ploy by the Temo leadership to conduct a public display of acknowledgement and resolve; they have already forgotten the hands and feet of the Tongan people whose livelihood they have trounced at seemingly whim. The businesses and dreams that were shattered by the Temo leadership and their supporters are the very people who have built Tonga. They didn...’t acknowledge them then, or want to involve them in dialogue or resolve ...– but in the aftermath of destruction now they come asking for forgiveness and to be allowed involvement in the reconstruction. The issue here is not involvement of the Temo...’s, but trust. Can we trust the minds and arms of the machine that wrought destruction and economic turmoil among its own people?



The recent message of the pro-Temo MP'’s, "et us forget what has happened, and focus on the future.".” Here you have political Temo leadership asking us to forget the past. Is forgetting really a smart thing to do? In other democratic societies these idiots political career would be a foregone conclusion. Game over, turn out the lights, and let...’s all go get ice-cream. But no, their power-hungry attributes are now revealing themselves, doing all they can to stay in the game. Who are these people? And what future can we expect from them? When you don...’t do as you say, the signs of behavior are all there ...– you...’re no good for politics. When you demonstrate tendencies to approve of violence as a means of communication, you are much closer to a dictator, or totalitarian autocracy than you are to democracy. Game over, turn out the lights, get on and get your ice-cream swerve on. Leave the rebuilding process to people who know and have lived the experience of building a nation.



I ask that Mr. Pohiva, and his original band-wagon jumping pro-Temo class, we thank you for your efforts in bringing to light the democratic movement, but your time has come and your season has now past. Your agenda...’s and the true road for democracy are headed in different directions now. Please consider retirement to your homes, take up gardening, or even head back to the plantation. We are all certain it will enhance yours and ours spirit and will certainly improve both our complexion. Leave the democratic movement to a more enlightened and credible upcoming class. Afterall, you can...’t expect immediate implementation of democracy. It wouldn...’t be consistent with Tongan Time!!!



A very heartfelt and warm Christmas wish,



'Alipate Sanft

asanft [at] mangofinancial [dot] com