It is heartening to read articles that make really good sense! When I read the numerous exchanges, I wonder if we ever take time to really think about what is going on, what needs to be done, and how to go about it. This country of ours is unique in this world because of many reasons. Amongst those is the fact that we have an absolute monarchy, the only surviving one throughout the Pacific. We have an honor system that is exercised in our families, extended families, villages, islands, and collectively as a people. The ideals that Tonga was built on were the work of past kings, chiefs, of warriors, of people who were known for their courage and leadership. - M. Latu
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Results for Opinion
Tuesday 25 October 2005
Tallahassee, Florida,USA
Congratulations! I may be overly optimistic, but I believe that the Constitutional reform committee will be a major success in the long journey started by the Human Rights and Democracy Movement in 1986. I have recently been spending my time studying some of the history of your Constitution, and I would like to say that as you begin this difficult process, it is important to remember all that you have achieved so far by courage, and persistence. - John Maloney
Tuesday 25 October 2005
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Speaking from the confines of a young Tongan's view, at best a blurred snap-shot of what is essentially just another politically biased perspective of a few Laki Niu supporters. We would like to point out to the small portion of the public sphere that doubt Mr Laki Niu's stance or intentions, following his recent pleas to catalyse reformation, that he has every right to be where he is today. - Ka Polu
Monday 24 October 2005
London, UK
I feel I have to write in support of Laki Niu's constitutional protest. Living in the UK where we are blessed with a centuries old democracy I feel we owe it to any nation to support their drive towards democracy. - Ruth Teasdale
Thursday 20 October 2005
Sydney, Australia
Pacific Island countries at some point in history were exploited because they own some of the most important commodities demanded by outsiders yet deemed useless to us because we didn't have the investment, resources and expertise to process them in our backyard. This is particularly true in Fiji (when companies conscripted Indians from abroad to work as slaves at sugar farms), and in PNG and the Solomons where acres and acres of forests were mowed down for export. - Jason Faletau
Thursday 20 October 2005
USA
I give credit to Mr. Laki Niu and others for their call for change in the constitution. These proposals are indeed commendable but I beg to differ from Mr. Niu's approach. I have not seen his total proposal, but based on the little information I have, I believe a monster is in the making. - Tamafoa
Wednesday 12 October 2005
3 comments
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The decision by Government and its Civil Servants on September 4 to end the Civil Servants' strike by giving in to the strikers demands, was a huge undertaking by a government that has few sources of revenue other than taxes, foreign aid and foreign remittances. Editor's Comment
Tuesday 11 October 2005
1 comment
Auckland, New Zealand
The key rationale behind the neo-liberal reforms is for the private sector to run these activities as businesses, in great anticipation that the returns will greatly benefit the country as a whole. In addition, the whole of the community are expected to pick up some of these functions, where they are to fend for themselves with some basic help from the state. - Dr ‘Okusitino Mahina
Friday 7 October 2005
Las Vegas-Nevada, USA
I wish to express my sincere appreciation to Professor Mahina for his clarification of his theoretical framework of Ta-va social theory. The basis of the approach is clearer to me and its limitless applications on social issues in general. I am particularly impressed with its originality and unique Tongan blend. I wish to briefly discuss some elements of the approach and move into small economic extension of it. - Thomas Monson Uata
Tuesday 27 September 2005
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Following the success of the Public Servants strike, and the people's first taste of political power, Minority rule, which has been the tradition in Tonga's Constitutional Monarchy, is coming under great pressure to change to be in line with the aspirations of Tongans today for a more democratic form of government. Editor's Comment by Pesi Fonua
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Tuesday 27 September 2005
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Life was much simpler then, for there was structure. There was genuine regard all around of people to their ruler, to the royal family and nobility, to the leaders of church and village life, to the heads of family and extended family, to brothers and sisters, to friends and to visitors alike. This genuine regard was reciprocated. - M. Latu
Friday 23 September 2005
Auckland, New Zealand
I thank Sefita Hao'uli for his effort for an informal stocktake of our national image through the brand Tonga and Tongan. An attempt to carry out this exercise has to touch on our history and it has some unavoidable limitations but here is my peni taha for the mix. - Sailosi Finau
Thursday 22 September 2005
California, USA
Thank you for all that you do. What a wonderful way for us Tongans overseas to see what is going on in Tonga. The photographs were fantastic, great quality that I have not seen. -Anita Siosiana Lavulo Robert-Taumoepeau (Miss Tonga 1997-98).
Tuesday 20 September 2005
Idaho, USA
Please discuss the issue of impeachment petition for the Premier and Tongan Ministers as petitioned by by the PSA representatives. - Taniela F. Kivalu
Monday 19 September 2005
USA
While the PSA and her supporters are still euphoric from their victory, some of us are left with disbelief and are still confused at what took place. I supported their right to petition the government for change, whether it is social, political or economical. However, after this strike, I realize my GPS Fotua education is leaving me unprepared to deal with the aftermath. - Tama Foa
Saturday 17 September 2005
Auckland, New Zealand
Ever wondered how the brand "Tonga" or "Tongan" is doing these days? And I mean how are we doing internationally and how do we regard ourselves locally? - Sefita Hao'uli
Thursday 15 September 2005
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
I am really tired of reading about Tonga and her problems, especially because of the politics that's involved. Hearing about Tonga is like listening to a very needy relative, as much as you love them; you still get tired of listening to them and wish for a little while that they would go away. - Mele Latu
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Wednesday 14 September 2005
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Auckland, New Zealand
Bringing about the socio-political change in Tonga calls for a parallel sea-change in our attitude to the deep-seated issues of rank, class, power and status. Conversely it will be more difficult if we do not address how Tongans regard each other across and within the "class" lines. In the very existence of class may well be part of the new frontier. - Sef Hao‘uli
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Saturday 10 September 2005
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Auckland, New Zealand
I join all Tongans around the world in thanking the Almighty for bringing the strike to an end. I believe it is too early to correctly say whether it is the PSA or the Cabinet who won this memorable ordeal. The PSA may have got what they wanted but we are yet to see at whose expense are they getting their demands. - Sailosi Finau
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Friday 9 September 2005
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Over the last six weeks or so we've been inundated with passionate cries for 'justice' and 'fair distribution for all' emanating from Pangai Si'i. Where is justice in the end when they have negotiated in 'bad faith' by demanding to be paid for 'work not done'? - Sione Talanoa Latu
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