LETTERS TO THE EDITOR – letters@fijitimes.com.fj
The Stretcher
THE Stretcher – will he be stretching people off the political arena?
Who knows? Riley Smith’s prediction of Vili Satala’s election victory might come true.
Surely his high public profile will not deter him from teaching some people a great lesson in humility – if he lacks other areas in Riley’s opinion.
Here’s another example of an imperfect human being.
All other candidates have their own flaws, have greater flaws, or hide their flaws behind a good team.
Today you can walk or catch a ride as long as you get to your destination.
Those who smell the roses along the way will enjoy it more than those throwing mud.
RICK EYRE, Lautoka
Landing investigation
A NEWS report titled Fiji Airways reveals findings from hard landing investigation does not reveal anything at all.
I find it hard to comprehend the decision to end a pilot’s flying career for the organisation’s decision in handling the airbus training. In one sentence Fiji Airways CEO/MD refers to the incident as not a pilot error, but blames organisational factors such as pilot training. Why then couldn’t Fiji Airways put the pilot back on corrective training to ensure that whatever shortcomings identified in the investigation are addressed.
In a letter I penned after the arrival of the first airbus last year, I had identified pilot training as a critical area given the change of systems from Boeing to Airbus.
Unless Fiji Airways is not concerned about aviation public safety, I would sincerely ask that it makes public the findings and recommendations of the investigations.
You would not want to erode the public’s confidence in travelling on our national airline, would you?
Peni Verebasaga, Nadi
Dog poisoning
I REFER to the article Council Traps 400 dogs in FT 03/07/14.
Mr Bala says and I quote “it was unfortunate that dog poisoning was now banned and trapping the dogs was the only way they could decrease their numbers in the municipality”.
Whether it be a human life or an animal’s life, poisoning is a horrific, painful and slow way to die.
It is not the dog’s fault that their owners left them on the street to multiply and attack people for food or when they feel threatened.
I am glad that poisoning has been banned.
Anyone who has seen their beloved pets die from poisoning knows what the animals go through for sometimes as long as two weeks before they succumb to death.
Mr Bala, it’s not unfortunate that poisoning has been banned, its a blessing.
Trapping is difficult yet humane so please show some compassion.
Ainul Nisha, Suva
Give up Lau
I REFER to the article ‘Give up Lau’ by Avinesh Gopal.
It is not a surprise that a descendent of Ma’afu is again trying to take back the Eastern group of islands.
The feud over Minerva Reef should stay there and not bargain some other location for a reef. Why should we give up Lau?
Not all Lauans have Tongan relations, maybe down the generations.
Why justify a claim on something Ma’afu did many years ago for a huge portion of Fiji’s Eastern territory?
It doesn’t mean he came to try and conquer Fiji, that you can claim that side of Fiji. Lau should remain under Fiji.
We wouldn’t want another Ma’afu staging a second attempt to conquer Viti.
Taraivini Tabua, Delainavesi
Common sense
I REFER to the letter by Shiv Goundar (FT 3/7) and would like to tell him that you don’t have to be an expert to give your viewpoint but just have some common sense which I think he doesn’t have.
I did not question the CEO about his grounding of the pilot but said he could be given a second chance. What is wrong with that?
Even our government is giving our prisoners a second chance, so why not a pilot who is not a criminal?
Lastly Shiv Goundar, please don’t get into personal issues because it could get worse.
Nardeo Mishra, Suva
Road to England
WITH our RWC qualifiers over, the question remains what has John McKee planned for Fiji to take us to the next level and finetuned for RWC.
We know our weakness and vulnerability and if Samoa ranked 10th could work that out, then we got huge problems taking on Wales, England and Australia in our pool of death.
Let’s face it, we have about 8-9 matches left before RWC 2015. Let’s hope that JM utilises our northern hemisphere tour to gauge our depth and polish our backline and set pieces.
Fiji rugby needs an attacking fly half to spark our backline. Our current five-eighths are more conventional and too predictable.
They don’t have the range of skills matrix to operate and keep defences guessing.
Given those deficiencies, I hope John McKee is keeping a close eye on West Harbour fly half Saiyasi Vakarau for our Northern tour.
Here is a player that has been previously in the Waratah system and is a strong territory kicker but an even more dangerous attacking player.
With all the silky ball skills that would make a league five-eighth proud, Saiasi is a player that keeps the defence guessing.
Sione Kolo is another player who comes to mind that needs a crack at national duty to help our already struggling scrum.
Being in the Western Force system would develop his game and game time with the Flying Fijians would give us another option up-front.
We hope that the next 12 months can unearth some hidden talents for specific positions in our squad.
Henry Robinson, NSW Australia
U20 soccer
AFTER watching the U20 soccer team play in Fiji during their historic qualification to U20 World Cup, I am of the opinion that the team is currently at 40 per cent fitness at best.
The reason I say this is that there aren’t any teams in Oceania that play the 100 miles per hour, end to end soccer for 90 minutes. Therefore, the team has not been pushed to the limit.
At the tournament proper, most other teams will be miles ahead in both skills and fitness.
It is highly likely that Fiji will be in a pool with three other high ranked teams in the world.
Therefore to keep pace with the rest of the world, working on physical fitness over the next 11 months would be a good plan.
As we are witnessing during the World Cup in Brazil, many of the teams have multiple players who came through the U20 ranks, including Neymar Jr.
With all due respect, there will be a lot of chasing to do with not much sight of the ball.
Also, since the U20 World Cup will be held in June, which is first winter month in New Zealand, the team may also want to take the weather into consideration. Plus, if you get based in Christchurch, you may need extra pairs of leg warmers.
I know the Fiji FA management team is looking at all this, however, being forewarned is being forearmed. May 30, 2015 will be here before you know it.
Praneet Singh, Sacramento CA
QUICK VIEWS
My vote
WHO will you vote for, I asked my friend. He replied, “Jesus.” Full stop. End of story.
SIMI KURUVOLI, Nasinu
Road upgrade
I VISITED Kadavu last week and had first-hand experience of its treacherous road condition, specifically from Ravitaki to Nabukelevu-i-ra. It is suitable only for four-wheel-drive vehicles on a sunny day. The economic potential of villages along that main road could be fully exposed if the authorities do something about it now.
FERETI MOTOTABUA, Korovou Tailevu
Street signs
A FRIEND of mine came from overseas and while driving towards the old FNPF building to go towards Rifle Range, he noticed that street signs were missing. Since my friend was a stranger to Lautoka, he had a difficult time looking for the house he was supposed to have dinner at. Fortunately, he had a cell phone and managed to call me and I directed him on where to go. Can the people in charge fix the signs since most people cannot figure out which street is where?
NARAYAN REDDY, Lautoka
People’s soccer
WHETHER it is an entertainment or development of soccer, everyone will support. For me it is so disappointing to see the condition of the ground where the Fiji FACT was held. Think of the players playing ninety minutes of soccer. To the facilitators, please provide a playing ambience where not only spectators enjoy but it also allows players to showcase their talent to full potential.
ANUPMA SINGH, Nadi
World Cup
I AM wondering why FNPF is sponsoring the World Cup soccer coverage. How does this sponsorship benefit the FNPF? Have they got some surplus funds?
SUKHA SINGH, Labasa
Rugby match
IT’S a shame the RWC qualifying match last Saturday (Fiji-Cook Is) wasn’t shown live on any of the free to air channels. I called Allen just before kick-off and I told him the match would only be shown live on Pay Per View channel. He replied: “Don’t worry, I will put the radio behind the TV.” Kaila!
WISE MUAVONO, Lautoka
Copyright
THE funny thing about the copyright laws for the music industry is that it concentrates more on audio CDs being copied from the original. OK, fair enough but these musicians are copying songs being sung by other artists such as Michael Learns to Rock, Dr Hook and Lucky Dube, to name a few. And they’re changing the lyrics, especially our iTaukei musicians. Now who’s fooling who?
SULI TOKALAU, Lautoka
YOUR SAY:
Politicians and parties
Skilled politicians
RILEY Smith of Suva maintains that candidates vying for a seat in parliament should be well educated.
Of course yes. After all, we are talking about productively running a country here.
But does Riley have any clue on how many “no school” politicians have probably been helping steer the government ship over the years?
Trust me, I believe the results would be appalling if we did a head count.
NISHANT SINGH, Lautoka
The big question
BEING asked a question by students, friends and colleagues, I was unsure how I could give the best answer on whom to vote for, when all parties were somewhat similar in values and ethics.
They say silence is the golden answer that sometimes people need, before a breakthrough of wisdom.
I thanked the silence that was my moment of truth as I slowly explained that in voting for any leader, it is crucial that one assess their conscience fairly, realistically and lucidly.
Having done this, and choosing from one’s clear conscience, I’m sure, one will choose the right leader.
One’s conscience should be determined by oneself and not by outside influence and voices.
The evidence for having done the right thing with a clear conscience is always, peace that proceeds from any action.
It’s the peace that reassures one, that the decision made was the right one.
FINAU TURAGA, Nadi Airport
Scaling of marks
WITH the “Big Five” political parties now actively campaigning for the upcoming general elections, something seems missing from their agenda; no one is promising to scrap scaling of marks currently applied to external exam results!
That is probably because these parties are not concerned about those who are not of the voting age yet.
Students who have been victims of the scaling system and those who will be sitting for external exams in future will no doubt vote for the party which promises to do away with this unjust system bringing relief to the hardworking students who do not want their marks distributed to weaker students using the standard deviation method.
ASHNEEL SUDHAKAR, Ba
Blame game
IT’S quite interesting to read about the different political parties playing the blame game in a bid to win the top job in the coming election.
While some have already started making promises by visiting the different parts of the country, others seem to brainwash the public by over- highlighting the same issues.
The politicians vying for the much needed win in the upcoming elections should indeed write a letter to the editor as mentioned by Sukha Singh (FT03/07) stating why should they be voted in and what were some of the things they did for the public in times of major crises like natural disasters and not what they will do after the election because once the poll finishes anything can happen.
So far, I have only noticed the current government reaching out to the people in such trying times.
I’m sure we all will be interested in reading their letters or rather call it an essay.
AVITESH KUMAR, Ba
