Editor,

Dennis Pulu is correct that the crimes of subordinates does not equate to guilt by the leadership of the organization (Semper Fi). But if an organization at large fails, the leadership of that organization is responsible. Abu Grahib is a good example of a leadership failure, probably not at the national level but definitely at the General Officer level.

I did not mean to infer that many of those that rioted were not guilty of looting and arson and should be let go. They need to pay for their crimes. An old fashioned chain gang would be a good way to clean up the capital city and start the rebuilding effort. When they finish with the town clean up they can clean up the areas that tourists will come to visit. The criminals could make a positive difference for the country. If the Demo's did organize and plan the arson and looting of 11-16 then they should be arrested and given a fair trial.

Comparing President Bush to the King of Tonga is a fallacy. The President of the United States does not have nearly as much constitutional power as the King of Tonga. The President is limited by the Judicial and Legislative branches of our government. Also, the American people would not tolerate the same level of arrogance. An example of this is the recent congressional elections where the American people sent the Republicans packing. Their loss was punishment for being out of touch, out of control spending and arrogance.

If there were protests in America on the same order of magnitude that Tonga has experienced, we would have had 30 million people marching in the Streets last year, there would have been 100,000 American protesters camped out on the Washington Mall (Pangai Si'i) for thirteen months, and then 1million rioters would have formed the day Congress was to go into recess and they would have burnt down Washington, D.C. (Nuku'alofa). If this were to happen, the American people would definitely hold not only the President but the Congress responsible for letting things get so out of hand.

Democracy is not pretty, but so far it seems to be the best form of Government that mankind has come up with to date. The tragic event of 11/16 could be an opportunity for the aristocracy to turn things around and change Tonga for the better. The real tragedy is that Tonga could be so much more than it is. Like a tree that is constantly trimmed of its new growth by greedy owners, it will never bear fruit. At this point Dr. Phil, a psychiatrist turned American TV show host, would ask the obvious dysfunctional guest who can't admit he has a problem, "How is that working for you"? I guess everybody that is happy with the status quo in Tonga must be pleased with how prosperous and efficient the country is.

Please do not categorize me as pro-Demo or pro-Government. If you must categorize me, call me pro-change, because what has been going on isn't working and any change is bound to be an improvement.

What if all future government meetings were public and televised over television, radio and the internet? Maybe it would reduce the traffic on the coconut wireless and possibly force some folks to become true leaders.

Respectfully,

Joe Smith

utahpalangi [at] msn [dot] com