Results for Letters

Firstly, there is no such thing as an "absolute democracy". Neither the Greek, American, nor the Tongan version is "absolute" and perhaps the closest you can come to such an idea is socialism or communism (classless population equal under the state). - Josephine Latu

Before anthropologists investigate the ancient past, they might want to consider a little history of recent past. -Sione A. Mokofisi

Perhaps Mr. Ivan Simic of Belgrade, Serbia (The Americans, 26 February, 2009) could have used Google to search under the topic "Ugly Americans" and saved us from his boring American History lessons. - Sione A. Mokofisi

Tonga's sacrifices in the U.S. Iraq War are paying off. A tiny Kingdom but we showed our grits and true friendship when the late King Taufa'’ahau Tupou IV answered America's plea to help spread democracy in the world. - Sione A. Mokofisi

Please correct me if I'm in error here, Mafi 'o American Samoa: Aren't out looking at a glass "half-empty" while Meteliko Tuaileva may have been looking at it as "half-full?" You gave me the impression that Dr. Sevele does not belong on the same stage as Mr. Obama, despite the fact he is the first black U.S. President, and Sevele is the first commoner to occupy the PM office. - Sione A. Mokofisi

I graduated from Tonga High School. Same school that Tupou Pulu, Langi Kavaliku, Futa Helu and so many great minds in Tonga attended. But I would not consider myself anywhere close to their caliber. Sione Tupouniua was the most celebrated Tongan to attend Harvard when I was a young kid in Tonga. - Mafi ‘o Amerika Samoa

The irony is that democratic form of governments traditionally finds it easier to manage the society and thus operate the system based on the voice of the active minority. The situation in Tonga as stated in your commentary is neither new nor different. However, the danger to democracy is when the active minority translates the "lack of participation" as an instrument to disregard the interest of the silent majority. As there are reasons for one being politically active, equally, there are reasons for one not being active. One may be dissatisfied with his life circumstances, linked it government policies and decision making and choose to be politically active to influence the process in his favour. The other may be satisfied with his life situation linked to the same policies and choose to leave the process of decision making as it is. - ‘Inoke Fotu Hu‘akau

Tevita U. Langi's agruments in his previous letter have a number of common argument fallacies that need to be given attention. However, I would like to just pick one for the sake of time and simplicity. - Daniel K. Fale

As one of the first generation Tongan living here in America, and witnessing this momentous day of celebration, of the inauguration of the first African American President of the United State of America, I never believed it in my wildest dream, that this day could ever happened in my life time.