I could be charged with treason [1]
Friday, December 22, 2006 - 14:55. Updated on Tuesday, January 27, 2015 - 14:16.
Editor,
I want to thank Ms Uata for her enlightening letter. I was totally in the dark on this, thinking someone with a match and gasoline near the area was responsible for burning Nuku...alofa. I had no idea I was responsible. Small minds like mine are usually in the dark when it comes to being responsible for someone...s action. For my defense, I have been busy doing required homeworks to complete my diploma from Kindergarten. It sure is a huge accomplishment for me. No, not the Diploma, I am talking about my new skill, my ability to write my name. For a very long time, I have always been told to place my favorite X next to my name for it is as good as a signature.
Now that I know I am responsible for the destruction of Nuku...alofa, and with a remorseful heart, I want to extend my apologies to the following people for the terrible thoughts that crossed my minds. Please noticed I said ...minds.... It is because there are two of us, me and myself. I talk to myself a lot. I thought the Democratic Movement (Temos) Leaders were encouraging the crowd to start the riot, but to my dismay, I lit the fire. I thought this rampage was planned in advance and the Temos knew whose properties will be targeted. I was wrong. I supplied the petrol. I burned the place down. I thought the Temos will be held responsible for all the reconstruction costs, the deaths of seven people, the loss of income as well as unemployment for those whose workplaces were burned down. I was wrong. I have no excuse. I thought Akilisi Pohiva, Clive Edwards, Uliti Uata and the PRs who led the riot are spineless for not taking responsibility for Black Thursday. I was wrong as well. I am to blame.
Now that I am taking full responsibility for the rioter...s actions, I wonder if Ms Uata will join me in looking at a few things I am still not clear on. The Democratic Movement Leaders... action including Mr. Uliti Uata, was clearly an attempt to overthrow the government or treason. The dictionary defines treason as: the offense of attempting by overt acts to overthrow the government of the state to which the offender owes allegiance or to kill or personally injure the sovereign or the sovereign's family. The penalty for treason in most civilized country is ...death....
Will I be charged with treason as well? Who then is responsible for the deaths of those seven people? If Ms Uata is responsible for the Black Thursday like she claimed, is she ready to accept the death penalty?
I read an article somewhere that many of the rioters believe this: ...We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.... For my fellow citizens who claim to believe in this, if you talk the talk, it is high time to walk the walk. Otherwise, shut up and leave religion and your scriptural knowledge out of the discussion.
Now that we are responsible for the deaths of seven innocent people, on Black Thursday, who is going to assume and take the penalty? Those seven innocent people deserve justice. Isn...t it what the Temos were pushing for, accountability and transparency? This is an opportunity for the Temos... leadership to show their sincerity in their cause. I hope they will not be hiding behind others and still claim the government is at fault. One philosopher once said, ...The most cowardly thing in the world is blaming mistakes upon others.... There are too many people running around blaming others for their failure. Unless the Temos comes to grips that their actions cost seven lives as well as millions of dollars, I no longer look at them as a worthy political opponent but a terrorist group. Then again, I am only a shallow minded person who committed destruction on the kingdom from afar.
TamaFoa