Results for Opinion

I am amused by lawyer Nic Fisher's letter to Mr Sione Fonua in relation to the proposed sale of 'Atalanga. The letter contained some elements of intimidation that made us Tongans laugh rather than fear. Even our Tongan kids in the elementary school found Mr Fisher's warning to be very entertaining and laughable. - Dr Fotu K.V. Fisi'iahi.

'Ahongalu Fusimalohi the head of Tonga's Football Federation, is among six FIFA officers who have been suspended from taking part in any football related activity (administrative, sports or any other) by the FIFA's Ethics Committee, from October 20, 2010.

Ko e me'a 'oku fai kiai 'a e tokanga, he 'oku hanga 'e he lao 'o foaki 'a e faingamalie huu koloa mei muli ki he ki'i toko ni'ihi pe koia 'oku lesisita ke ma'u laiseni. Ka 'oku 'ikai ke hanga 'e he lao 'o malu'i 'a e kau consumer 'oku nau fua kotoa 'a e fakamole mo e tukuhau ki he koloa na'e hu mai mei muli. 'Oku laka hake he 90% 'a e koloa he maketi 'oku pau ke import mei muli. Pea 'oku 'ikai ke 'i ai ha taimi ia 'e pehee 'oku over-stock ai ha fa'ahinga koloa 'i Tonga ni. He 'oku kei lahi ange pe 'a e demand ia he supply. Pea 'i he'ene pehee, neongo e mamafa 'a e koloa ka kuo pau pe ke fakatau ia. - Paula Kava.

It's been 135 years since modern Tonga was introduced to the world of politics, business, religion, and education. Haven't we gotten just one qualified judge? It is time to break the mold. We must eliminate the flawed idea that only Papalangis are capable of being smart, intellectual, honest, and trustworthy. The longer we keep our lot in an inferior status, the longer we will deny ourselves the opportunities to excel. - Sione Akemeihakau Mokofisi.

Surely, something is wrong with how the government relates to its senior legal professions. Two attorney generals and two judges ended their contract with the government in highly controversial fashion. - Tino Funaki.

The Maritime Monument Design competition launched this week is a sad attempt at reparation that is far too little and comes way too late. The memorial wall was a selfless gift to the families of the victims in the hope that it would go some way towards appeasing their grief.- Tanya Edwards.

'Oku tui 'a e motu'a ni 'oku 'ikai ke pehe mai 'e Pilitania mo e NATO koha fo'i piini piko 'a e kau ange 'a Tonga ki he tau. Ko e fu'u teuaki fakapo 'eni, hange ha taki atu ha fu'u tuli pea toe noa ki ha fe'auhi tipeiti. Ko 'enau si'i sio ngutu pe ki he ngaahi me'a 'oku fai 'e he ngaahi fonua kuo nau taukei 'i he mala'e 'o e tau taau pe ko 'enau o atu pe 'o le'o 'i he ngaahi 'apitanga tau kae 'ikai ke nau 'otumu'a 'i he laine. - Lou 'Uhila.

"If you pay peanuts, then you get monkeys." Maybe so . . . but basic needs must come first: health care, education, and the maintenance of basic community infrastructuremust come first . . . well before salaries of parliamentarians. - P. A. Langi.

I am pleased to see the surge in the energy debate. I've been a strong advocate of alternative energy sources to be considered by Tongan on two fronts: One is the appropriate alternative technology. The second front that we need to consider, centralized power generation and ownership has brought us this far but we need to understand and accept its limitations and change accordingly. - Sefita Hao'uli.