Editor,

Borrowing from Shakepeare, "I went, I saw, I am very sad." I was not bothered by the extent of the damages, I saw worse in Lebanon back in 1983 and caused much of the same and more damage in Iraqi Desert Storm. But I was sad at the loss of history and the damage to a place we all call home. Nuku'alofa reminds me of loved ones no longer with us. It was the gathering place for class mates and friends. It gave some of us commoners status just from being around the town area. I am sad at why would someone do this to his own home.

For the first time in more than 30 years I had the opportunity to attend a "uikelotu" [week of prayer] with my parents in Tonga. I had to excuse myself and walked out in the middle of the "malanga". I later explained to my mother who was in tears that I just can't sit there and listen to a "faifekau" preaching repentance to me when I saw the same person on DVD at Pangai Si'i encouraging disobedience to the mob. As far as I am concerned, the church leaders who still rationalize to justify their participation at Pangai Si'i can take themselves and their "god" to hell, for that is where I think they belong. For you see, even we, in the US Marines who have done the ultimate crime will admit our sins and declare to the world that our "GOD" has nothing to do with our actions.

While in Tonga I hear very little to nothing from the Demos and their supporters. I had the honor of visiting an old friend who is in jail awaiting trial. He said hello and "it is now a new year, let's forget the past". I shot back right away, "Is that all you have to say, after all you have done". He did not want to see me anymore.

I left the jail remembering an Iraqi sniper who shot and killed a member of my recon team and wounded 5. It took me and three of the surviving team members 4 hours to track down this bad boy. At the end, he shot at me one more time and missed and just as I got him on my scope and ready to pull my trigger he was out of his fox hole with his hands up in the air surrendering to us. You can all understand why I think murder should be justified at times like this. However, being an officer and a gentleman, I had to treat this bad boy as a prisoner in accordance with the Geneva Convention. But, Lord knows, I watched this bad boy for a week hoping that he gives me enough reason to kill him.

I must confess that the feeling returned to me while I was in Tonga. I was hoping that the "bad boys" make one more wrong move. I believe that most problems can be solved with high powered explosives. Fortunately, the opportunity never knocked on my door. Moreover, my father was watching every move I made.

HMHC Mafi 'o Amerik Samoa.

Sione Lousiale Kava