"BACK TO DEMOCRACY FOR FIJI"

You are invited to share and pen your ideas, views or opinions that will facilitate/assist our country back to democracy. All positive and/or negative ideas and comments to steer us back to the road of democracy are welcome.

Whichever way one looks at our current situation back home, democracy has been completely raped. The rape of democracy in Fiji is a virtual degradation of the populus of Fiji. Their human rights are being deprived:

1. the right to decide their government;
2. who they want to represent them;
3. their right to free assembly;
4. free protest;
5. free to organise into groups so that they can talk about what is pertinent to their daily lives;
6. protest on issues they do not agree with....with no fear of intimidation from anybody.

With this military regime in place, the concept of freedom per the Constitution is a total myth!

And, we, the people of Fiji need to come together and be vehement about our total disagreement with the military regime. So give us liberty or death! The reality of the issue is that democracy in Fiji has been raped...from top to bottom...left to right....inside and out and vice versa!

Here we have a military regime that talks about freedom to the people and yet the very same military regime randomly arrest people, torture them, inflict unnecessary harrassment and emotional stress to those that seem a threat to them. The military regime talks about racial unity.......the communal concept of togetherness and yet Fiji is far more racially divided today than it ever was.

The so-called advisors, viz-a-viz, John Samy, these are rejects from their adopted countries and yet they are being rewarded with exuberant amount(s) of money by these rogue military regime who have no idea what they are doing. Lying to the international community does not augur well with this interim government and yet the interim Prime Minister continuously talks with a forked tongue when addressing international issues. The ministers talk about internal securities as if Fiji is going to be invaded.

All around it is clearly seen that the economy is in tatters and the Constitution is just a useless piece of paper. The rule of law is as what the military regime wants it to be.

The above are just some of my views (from a pro-democracy viewpoint). But, do not let that deter you from penning your comments if you share otherwise.

So, let us come together and voice our views/comments, whether they be for or against the military regime and have a very healthy discussion here so that in the end we can factually understand what our role is, what we need to do and how we can come up with ideas to help restore democracy back in our beloved Fiji!

Please feel free to write what you like or dislike about the military regime. Be sincere and honest about your thoughts, without getting personal or spiteful.

Kindly note, this "topic" will expire as soon as we have an election.

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Suliasi Daunitutu on December 7, 2009 at 12:29am: Great work gang, looking forward to working with you guys in trying to restore democracy to our beloved Nation.

Vinaka Mr. President, Vice, ladies and all who attended. Sega ga nai taba me da sarava, kei na so na ka sa veivosakitaki rawa.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Apo Gucake on December 7, 2009 at 1:37pm: Malo a bula Suli, Mrs Samisoni, Serene, Malevani, NZ et all. Our meeting in Santa Rosa went well given the teething, mechanical and nuances of understanding and coming to terms with how org. are started in the US. It was a learning experience for Loru and Te-when in Rome do as the Romans applies since we live in this great democracy called the US of A, but the work carries on, the dream lives on. I must admit that we all agree on one thing i.e. the restoration of democracy and rule of law back home despite the prevalent structural and house keeping issues we needed to attend to i.e. 1) formation of 501(c) 3 non-profit, 2) database of members and overall # of Fiji islanders in the US, petition letters to be sent to our respective congress reps in our various jurisdiction including engaging the US Permanent Sect to the UN (Susan E. Rice) since the US contributes slightly more than a quarter of the annual costs for UN backed peacekeeping operations which includes FJ and 3) seek funding sources from various grants like the Carnegie Foundation, etc that support human and civil rights globally.

Our work is cut out for us, but it is a challenge that we will not back out from given the current juncture and fork in the road we have come to. I believe that we are at a point in our history that will define the future of our land. Soft sanctions have not worked and it is time to consider other options given the plight our country is headed-economically, fiscally and morally.

A quote came to mind given the magnitude of work we have at hand. "All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing"-Edmund Burke. Let the annals of history be rewritten for FJ that we who love our country shall never let the dictates of a few determine the course of our struggle, that freedom shall be triumphant and that the people shall be given their God given right to determine their own destiny, however the dictates of their heart, governed by the majority and blessed by the land, chiefs and our forebearers. We have started to run that first 100 yards of the marathon, we will stay the course, never quiver nor fail. Failure is not an option for the stakes are too high for our children and future posterity. God bless Fiji and may the love of Christ make our hearts warmer this festive season as we contemplate our own "personal Gethsamane" and what it would take to free our country from the woes of corruption, decree, human rights and press restrictions in place. The battle has to be fought from the outside in.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by STEE on December 7, 2009 at 2:37pm: "Learning experience for Te and Loru.." ..??? These two guys happened to have done a lot for the groundwork of this movement, and we would appreciate it if you exercise more respect and be a little more discreet, for these two gentlemen, Apo Gucake. Stop encouraging this bad blood amongst this movement, and it would be wise to remember at this stage, that no one is indispensable..!! As we have always said, this is not about our personal popularity, or trying to fulfill your habitual urge to lead.. This fight is about our people back home. Sega soti ni vinakati tiko na mai veisisivi vuku, vosavosa vakamaqosa..kei na vosa veibeci e mai tau sabalia tiko ( even at the meeting..!!)

POWER TO THE PEOPLE...!!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Apo Gucake on December 7, 2009 at 7:17pm: Stee: you're missing the whole point bro. This thing is never about me, its the cause. Why don't you ask Tevita and Loru how the mtg went? You might be surprised at what you learn. What is said on cyberspace, blogs and the net are just that bits and pieces of information which needs to be vetted to the reality of situation on the ground i.e. at the meeting and that was what happened last Saturday. As for your assumption, that I am trying to sabotage, or encourage bad blood is further from the truth. I am not trying to lead this effort either as I have enough on my plate but I will hold our leaders accountable to the community we serve, in this case the Fijian community in the US. If this comes thru to you as veibeci, viavia vuku, etc then maybe you are taking this thing too personal bro. Then maybe that's what sets us apart. I have every right to say whatever damn thing I can say on this blog. That's the great thing about America bro, we can agree to disagree but at the end of the day the work still gets done. Look at the big picture Stee you wanna talk sense how about a little courtesy put a face to the picture meda veivosaki vakatamata. Long story short Stee is you will never understand why I am being so critical because you have never walked my path. Peace.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by jay on December 7, 2009 at 7:38pm: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k1k1x--G0yc; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by STEE on December 8, 2009 at 10:56am: Bula Apo.. No one can deny that you have every right to say whatever you 'damn can' on this blog, so does everyone else.

Iam sorry if I offended you, but this thing about "serving the Fijian Community in the US.. " popping up now and then, has really put an unpleasant edge to many a few for this movement. I have been here for five years now, and the majority of the Fijian Community that I know of, are still pretty much the way they were since they came... And without meaning to digress or to deviate further, this Movement does not and will never involve the "whole Fijian Community", because, not everyone agrees for Bainimarama to step down. Heck, you should have heard the comments some gave us when we were trying to rally for support for this cause. Then again, you should know all that, "because noone has ever walked your path..!!! "

I wish to take this time to apologize to Mr. Daunitutu and and all you brave fighters out there, if I have deviated a little over here.

Finally, I apologise to you too Mr. Gucake. I am sure you already know my real identity, but I wish to remain as such for personal reasons. I am sure you have done a lot for the Fijian Community, though I am still not so sure of all that it entails..( no offense there.!) I just wish we could have a better approach where we could all just come together as one, and help and guide each other along, without having factions lashing out at each other, trying to prove each is better or smarter than the other. I think we can start with you and Loru ( OBees) .... Sa malo.

POWER TO THE PEOPLE..!!!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Apo Gucake on December 8, 2009 at 2:28pm: Apology taken and accepted Stee, let's move on and get this thing done. Apologies to Loru and mai Tau Te if I've offended, it's all good we can do this. Such is the beauty of living in this great democracy. Vinaka Kasa for putting us back on course. For Fiji, ever Fiji.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Kasanita Kamakorewa Lindell on December 8, 2009 at 2:15pm: @ Marama nite STEE - You should have come to the meeting my dear, that was the place to speak, to stand up and be counted, the road is long and we MUST be together on this my dear.

Words like "habitual urge to lead" does no one any favors least of all kainoqu Tevita Korodrau and turaga tauvu Loruama Tawawili, I know that both these gentlemen Loruama Tawawili and Apolosa Gucake are your OB's and I honestly used to assume that there was a code of honor among you guys, was I wrong??

NOW is not the time to be flinging mud at each other, now is the time to SET ASIDE PERSONAL ISSUES and step up to the plate. I am now safely assuming that the words "habitual urge to lead" also apply to me and anyone else that ONLY wants to help and be an honest part of our cause.

In order to give POWER TO THE PEOPLE WE MUST TAKE THE HIGHER ROAD naita, I for one did not at all appreciate the tone set by kainoqu Korodrau when he kept saying repeatedly "point taken....NEXT"!! It was no longer "JUST A BLOG" once we were sitting in that room, there were very much REAL PEOPLE in there and regardless of their respective immigration status here in this country they too were all entitled to speak their mind..................THEN and ONLY THEN could we move forward.

The "mini dictatorship attitude" DID NOT AT ALL sit well with any of us at the meeting especially the keynote speaker Dr.Kevin Danaher and the American organizations that were represented. That is how most if not all of the meeting was conducted if not for some of us who stood firm and became very vocal for the people and the Fijian Community here in the States.

Bugger "personal popularity" right now, we WANT people like Apolosa Gucake to be a part of the foundation of our USA Chapter because we have always spoken of transparency and accountability and he makes a perfect "CHECKS AND BALANCES" person for us. I suppose there are others out there in our community who would be more than willing and able to step forth and lend a helping hand and we would welcome them of course.

Do we not want to be wholesome and not appear to become like the very thing we are fighting against which is 'totalitarian rule'??
Lets look at the bigger picture here and not emphasize on speculations.

This fight is INDEED for our people, lets keep that focus please, personal issues aside!!

Vinaka saka.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by STEE on December 8, 2009 at 3:32pm: Ni bula Marama Nite Kasanita. My not attending the meeting will not affect my support for this Movement and this great cause. Besides, I had given my apology to Mr. President and the main reasons why I will not be vocal upfront as I had done before, due the the threats I had received beforehand, details of which, I will not air out here.

I was addressing Mr. Gucake, and I am not responsible nor am I bothered with your interpretation of it, regarding personal issues and the likes, because nothing can be further from the thruth. Anyways, like we have always said... This fight is for our people, and that is what we had been doing and will continue to do, as long as we have the will and the means. Vinaka vakalevu..!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Kasanita Kamakorewa Lindell on December 8, 2009 at 9:06pm: All things considered then naita STEE, I am sorry that you have to put up with such threats from such people, it sounds all too familiar and also very sad that people still stoop so low.
My question is why?

I do not attempt to interpret anything for anyone, nor do I want to bother you on any level at all, I do believe though that I am well within my rights to address certain issues as opposed to "POINT TAKEN..........NEXT"!! We are all adults here and things should be pretty straight forward. That in itself would be a misconception and theres a fine line there when it comes to shades of grey.

Ni Kalougata saka tiko naita! :); ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Mere Tuisalalo Samisoni on December 7, 2009 at 7:55am: 7/12/09
Vinaka vaka levu President Loruama Tawawili, Vice President T Korodrau and Mrs Tepola for funding the Meeting. Thank you also go to the members Members Apolosa Gucake', Mrs Koto Vakarewakobau, Mrs Kasanita Lindewll, Mr Naca, Mr Sekope Tauyavu and Mrs Tepola for your resolutions and commitment to our cause. Now we must join forces as advised by Suli with the strategic resolutions in mind.
God Bless Fiji for all you good people.
Mere.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Mafile'o Ela Bale on December 7, 2009 at 12:12pm: A hearty congratulation(s) to the newly elected members of the "Back to Democracy" movement here in the USA. Messrs. Pres/Vice Pres we applaud you for a job well done on Saturday's meet.; ▶ Reply to This