Results for Opinion

From a man who was persecuted by the Government for being a government watchdog; to regurgitating government press releases on his newspaper website in the place of independent journalism (Kalafi, if I want to find out the Government of Tonga's opinion on an issue, such as the .'Black List', or the abuse of prisoners then I'll go to the PMO or Tonga-Now website - can't you write your own articles on these issues?), to now working for the government? - Viliami

First, let me say this. After the terrorist act of September 11 in the United States, life has never been the same anymore, anywhere especially the security aspect of it. I would like to think that after 16/11 in Tonga, life is never going to return to what it was before 16/11. For those in Tonga, they should tell themselves to get used to the 'boys in green' with road blocks and roving patrol as a way of life from now on. A necessary inconvenience and we can all thank the Demos and their supporters for their contribution. - Sione Lousiale Kava

First, Joe, please, do not insult my intelligence and my honor by apologizing for me and what I said. I meant every word I say. I did not need to be "mafana" as you put it. You and your Demos, have to be drunk "mafana" to be able to do what you did at Nuku'alofa. - Sione Lousiale Kava

However, Mr. Kava went on to accuse the Pangai Si'i faifekaus of, in his own words, "encouraging disobedience to the mob". He called on the faifekaus to, "take themselves and their god to hell, for that is where they belong". And that's when I thought that Mr. Kava stepped out of line.

I wish to thank Sione Lousiale Kava for the expression of honesty in dealing with the Faifekau (whichever denomination he might have come from) who once appeared in Pangai Si‘i on the events leading up to 16/11. I am also glad that the opportunity for Mr. Kava to commit murder thankfully did not come his way while he was in Tonga. To do so would only exacerbate the already deteriorating situation in the country. However, in my capacity as a church minister (which by God's grace I wholeheartedly embrace), I partly support his course of action relating to this particular church minister who in some way was involved (perhaps merely by his presence at Pangai Si‘i) in inciting the violence of 16/11. - Rev. Ma‘afu Palu

Having read "The attempted coup of 16th November 2006" by Lopeti Senituli, I would like to ask the Matangi Tonga if it is possible to publish Dr Taufe'ulungaki's report in full so that the readers can have the full benefit of what she is writing about without prejudice. -Senolita Swan

If it was not for seeds of hatred and anger that these people had planted in the minds, hearts and life of these people during the rallies and meetings at their villages and Pangai Si'i, the young people would not have had the courage to do what they did on 16/11. It is important that we follow closely and carefully analyse what 'Akilisi and the gang are doing and saying for they represent the iceberg that lurks below the evil actions of the young people on 16/11. -Taasi Holiday

Many Tongans like me see Akilisi Pohiva as a dangerous man. "He's a fiery populist," they say. "He'll destroy the country," they argue. "He's a fascist and a dictator in the making," they insist. But the efforts to portray the pro-Democracy leader as the Tongan version of Cuba...’s Fidel Castro totally miss the point. Akilisi Pohiva and the pro-democracy group is a symptom of deep problems that Tonga must continue to address. As the new king had promised a new chapter for the kingdom is forthcoming, we must all be vigilance in our posts to make sure change come as promised. It is unfortunate the pro-democracy group did not have patience. - Tama Foa

I have one word for the "Kau Demo" - it's not DEMOCRACY (that they are supposedly preaching) it's "DEMOLITION". - Saimone Tupou