It has been four months now since 16/11 and, as predicted, the consequential effects on Tonga political reform and the economy have been as deadly as sin. We have gone through a period of soul-searching about why it happened, how it happened and who were responsible for this blunder. As a people, I suppose we all feel emotionally gutted - angry and frustrated that our own brothers and sisters at home were actually capable of delivering such evil. Now of course the reality has hit home - the main business area of Nuku'alofa resembled that of an unfinished Hollywood Western film studio. - Senolita Swan
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Results for Letters
Sunday 25 March 2007
London, United Kingdom
Friday 23 March 2007
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San Mateo, California
As many may deny it, or the faint of heart may not admit it - Tonga's reform may be its only hope for economic recovery (and future). - Alipate Sanft
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Monday 12 March 2007
Phoenix, Arizona,USA
I was overwhelmed with what Paul Fifita had to express about William Edwards re Tonga Rugby League TRL, and as a former employee of HRH Princess Salote Mafile'o Pilolevu Tuita myself, I was assigned at the time of my employment as an Administrator of TRL and I can fully understand what Mr. Edwards justified, warranted and vindicated. - James Fa‘asolo
Sunday 11 March 2007
Bendigo, Australia
I have not forgotten the message of the struggle that Tongan women face in their daily lives, explained to us by the wonderful women at the National Centre for Women and Children during our visit in July 2006. - Rob Stephenson
Saturday 10 March 2007
UK
Having been and ex-league player myself back in the good old days in New Zealand, I was more than happy to have had the opportunity to talk to the players involved from a fan's perspective about their current tour etc. I was given the impression that the majority of the boys were more than happy with their management team, from William Edwards right down to their trainer. - Vain Maka
Thursday 8 March 2007
Pago Pago, American Samoa
We live in societies full of people with bad habits. Our bad habits lead to the destruction of the environment, lost revenues and mismanagement in the working place, breaking down of the family units and to the recent topic of abuse of women in our society. - Sione Lousiale Kava
Thursday 8 March 2007
2 comments
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Sydney, Australia
I have read about the division in the Tonga RFU Board, and I find it very amusing. William Edwards created the divide and rule policy for Duane Mann and Willie Wolfgram. - Paul Fifita.
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Friday 23 February 2007
Oslo, Norway
I congratulate Chief Justice Anthony Ford on his decision in ordering first time offenders to do community work and cleaning up/picking up the rubbish along the waterfront in Nuku'alofa. - Peki Matheson
Thursday 22 February 2007
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USA
I wish to convey my huge round of applause and immense support of Chief Justice, Anthony Ford implementation of the first offenders doing community work by cleaning up the Nuku'alofa waterfront.
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Thursday 15 February 2007
Sopu 'o Taufa (Israel),Tonga
Please add on my letter to the interesting debate raised by Joe Smith. I heard the comment on TV as Defence is allowed to cap their strength at 1500. They still have to ask for their budget, so the question is how much Tonga can afford and how Tonga need. With all the great ideas the weakness of Joe's argument is based on his bottom line. - Sione Talateu
Wednesday 14 February 2007
Pago Pago, Amerika Samoa
The Tonga Defense Force deserve more credits than what it has been dealt lately. Joe Smith, after 20 years in the US armed Forces is missing the point here. The Tonga Defense Force is better compared to its equivalent as the National Guard in the United States armed Services System. Their mission is quite similar. - Sione Lousiale Kava
Wednesday 14 February 2007
Salt lake city, Utah,USA
I used Fiji and Samoa because they face about the same level of external threat as Tonga (basically none). They are in the same geographical region and share many similarities. I threw in the USA, who is a major super power engaged in a war, to demonstrate the absurdity of the size of the TDS. I used published numbers on population, GDP and military size to add facts to my argument. - Joe Smith
Tuesday 13 February 2007
Pahu,Tongatapu
I was interested in one of the letters from Mr Kavaha'apai where he touched very briefly on what is expected of our representatives, and their important roles and the impact of their roles on us, the people that they represent. This is an important and much relevant issue for us commoners. We must understand what qualities do we want our people's representatives to have and what we want our representatives to do in parliament, considering the paths we came and where we are now and the political climate that is prevailing in the country at the moment. - Losena Vai
Sunday 11 February 2007
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Mangere, New Zealand
It is very important to accept the fact that Shorelines has made a big different to the reliability of power generation and distribution. We should also understand the fact that we cannot control the oil price and the price of oil has been sky high by more than 200% during the last 2 decades and to be reasonable, the rates of tariff increase is acceptable. -David Tapiaka
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Sunday 11 February 2007
Sydney, Australia
Joe Smith has raised some interesting questions on the above, supported by some equally interesting comparisons. I do not support his comparison of the TDS to that of Samoa's, Fiji's and the US' based only on the total population. One should therefore go beyond the total population and to look at other socio-political, security and economic factors that justify having an army. Perhaps GIGO would rightly apply to Smith's comparison. - Sione Fifita
Sunday 11 February 2007
UK
Do you know how much the Government sold the old TEPB for? I am only curious because if Shoreline was floated on the Stock Exchange, we would end up with thousands of shareholders, not two, unless of course a deal was struck between the two shareholders and the Government. - Senolita Swan
Saturday 10 February 2007
Suva, Fiji
Why need the $2 million from government when its directors are receiving hefty salaries. I trust that the money they need is to pay for fuel and not foot the salary of its directors. That would be the biggest crime against Tongan taxpayers. A writer to the editor in response to my last letter wrote that we elect representatives to speak on our behalf. - Freddy Kavaha‘apai
Saturday 10 February 2007
Kolofo'ou,Tongatapu
Many thanks for the opportunity to continue sharing comments with your readers. Just a short response to Lady Swan and Joe Smith. I believe Swan must have floated to the north antarctica when Tonga power was floated in the international financial market. Of course, not one of the thousands of Tongans you quoted were interested in the power then. - Taasi Holiday
Friday 9 February 2007
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Salt Lake City-Utah, USA
In response to Taasi Holiday's letters concerning Shoreline. If Shoreline is so well managed: Why did they need $2M from the government? Why can you hear the crackle of power leaking from the lines when you walk around the island? - Joe Smith
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Friday 9 February 2007
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UK
Thank you Mr Holiday for selling Shoreline, you are doing a very good job. Perhaps the King and his business partner should hire you to be their PR man. I am beginning to warm to the idea that the company is a good investment. -Senolita Swan
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