Results for Opinion

I hope that NZ PM Key's visit (July 8, 2009), and Minister for Foreign Affairs McCully (July 20, 2009), to Tonga were not empty promises to removing barriers in Tonga-NZ trade policies.Tongan farmers are still handicapped by more trade barriers. -Sione A. Mokofisi

Thank you so much for your initiative to post on the Matangi Tonga News Online - "Tourteau, where are You?" - Madame Y. Robaux

All theoretical information aside, when the tsunami wave struck Niuatoputapu, it resulted in seven or more deaths, and significant damage to the village. On the island of Lifuka, in Ha'apai, there was far more damage than "minor flooding." The initial tsunami wave itself was about one meter in height, followed by several waves of lesser height. The subsequent turbulence and the rapidly shifting currents in the Pangai harbor resulted in the sinking of 2 fishing boats, and the grounding of several others. - Tama Pangai

Si'i fakaa'u atu mu'a 'a e lotu hufia 'o kinautolu Tonga pehe ki hotau kainga Ha'amoa ne si'i ma'ungatamaki 'e he Sunami, ki he Mafi 'o Pangopango pehe ki he Tonga kotoa 'i Ha'amoa 'oku 'iai 'a e faka'amu ne mou hao 'i he fakatamaki ne hoko. 'Oku tau 'ilo'i kotoa pe kapau ne hoko 'a me'a ni 'i Tonga 'e toe fakamamahiange.-Lou 'Uhila

Random house has finally given us two versions of a dictator. However we are still to hear from Mr Fale which definition leads his argument, because the second version is arguably applicable if for example Bainimarama did things like withholding health services and medicines to a certain region of the country that opposes him which then led to people there dying from preventable diseases. Corruption, nepotism and murder of minorities and political opponents are obvious weapons of choice that he will also not sit and twiddle his fingers on. - Sam Tupou

I have been defending the position that there have been "successful" dictators, not necessarily "good"; this is a totally different argument. I have also been stating facts that refute generalizing dictators as "failed wannabes", because in reality - as I have been arguing - even in our current world, dictators do exist and some continue to be successful. - Daniel Fale

Webster defines a dictator as a person having absolute authority and supreme governmental powers. The nature and characteristics of a dictator is not part of the definition of the word. I fail to see where Mokofisi got the idea that murder, corruption and nepotism is part of the definition. On his part, he fails to realize that the same characteristics is present in all forms of government. The news is replete with accounts of these in democratic America. Read about corruption in Israel. - Sione Lousiale Kava

The Random House Dictionary defines dictator as, "a person who exercises absolute power, especially a ruler with absolute, unrestricted control of government". There is also a broader meaning of the word dictator used by political scientists that is given to leaders of one-party states or similar set-ups in which a dictatorship does exist in practice like Cuba, and yes, Singapore, and yes, Dubai. You do not have to kill thousands of people or do any other atrocity to be considered a dictator, as it seems Mr. Mokofisi believes this to be a requirement for a person to be a dictator. - Daniel K. Fale

The English (U.K.) Thesaurus defines truth under three headings i) fact, reality and certainty, ii) accuracy, genuineness, precision, exactness, legitimacy, veracity and truthfulness and iii) honesty, candor, integrity, dedication, loyalty, devotion, fidelity, uprightness and sincerity. - Sam Tupou