There is no good time to suspend a news blogsite and least of all this one in the lead-up to an election in Fiji. But GD is about to have major surgery – the replacement of my entire left shoulder – and I will be unable to use a keyboard, on doctor’s orders, for the foreseeable future.
I don’t know how long I will be out of action but it may be many weeks, if not months. Some of my readers have kindly suggested that I use a dictation program but the articles and photos still have to be formatted manually onto the WordPress platform I use. And I will be in a sling for at least six weeks with strict instructions not to move my shoulder and arm at all.
I cannot risk the possibility that the titanium replacement dislodges and the whole procedure has to be done again. I am determined to be able to pick up my new grandchild when she arrives later in the year and be rid of the painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs on which I have become increasingly dependent.
But rest assured, Dear Reader, that I will be returning and hopefully in time to provide full pre-election commentary. In the meantime, I urge you to keep a critical eye on events in Fiji, be aware that much of the mainstream media is compromised and seek out the excellent articles of Victor Lal – my fellow scribe at Fijileaks. www.fijileaks.com
I will endeavour to clear reader’s comments from time to time with my one good arm so your input here continues to be very welcome.
In the meantime, moce mada and sota tale.
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POSTSCRIPT:
God knows where we will be later in the year. The looming economic crisis triggered by the Middle East war is being accompanied by the customary ethno-nationalist muscle-flexing that poses a clear and present danger to national unity.
I hate to go away on a pessimistic note but Fiji is in very big trouble across a broad front.
140,000 Fijians have already left the country since the Coalition took power three and a half years ago and with the following explosive blueprint from the chiefs, we can expect the exodus to continue and even accelerate.
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The dream of equal opportunity for all citizens and equal recognition of religious beliefs is being shattered before our very eyes.
I also hate to say I told you so. But I have told you so here. Repeatedly.
This Easter, the chiefs are reminding us that Jesus Christ died for Christians. And if you are a Fijian of another religion, you have your own cross to bear – to be a second-class citizen in your country of birth.
Believe me. My pain right now isn’t just physical. I am also sick at heart.
God help us.
Also before I go, here’s what you need whatever happens next in the Middle East – a map of the Strait of Hormuz, from which you can immediately see the stranglehold Iran has on the flow of oil from the Persian Gulf.
Donald Trump says America “doesn’t need” the Strait of Hormuz and the rest of the world should just “go and get” the oil it needs. It is one of his many lies. The US imports eight million barrels of oil a day to add to what it gets from its own refineries.
So was the President’s speech yesterday a trick to lull the Iranians into a false sense of security before he sends in American troops to open up the Strait and seize Iran’s oil at its terminal on Kharg Island? We will soon find out.
Any Fijian can see from this map how hard it would be for US troops to beat back a determined Iranian counter-attack. And one look at the map also explains why this choke-hold on the supply of fuel stretches right around the planet to push up prices at service stations in Suva and Nadi.
Fiji, along with the rest of the world, is facing dire economic hardship as the cost of petrol, diesel, pre-mix for outboard motors and everything else as a consequence is steadily going up. Yet our leaders – including the chiefs – are obsessed with changing the constitution to deprive the nation’s minorities of their most basic rights.
The greedy, selfish bastards deserve everything that is coming to them. Ordinary Fijians don’t. And on that note, I’m off.
Have a speedy recovery GD.
Maybe a podcast??
Best wishes for a good outcome and a speedy recovery. Earlier this year I would have said that the world won’t fall apart whilst you are out of action, but unfortunately I think it has already started.
Take care and I’m sure I speak for all of your readers and contributors when I say, get well soon and we will all look forward to your return to full health and the keyboard, whenever that happens.
The good you do will prevail, at a time when we’re reminded, Jesus died for all (not just Christians), a way for you to soldier on WILL be found…
In the meantime, am sure you’ll be in good hands for your surgery, healing and recovery…. Prayers come your way for this difficult time… Take care…
Weeks! Oh no! The best source of what’s really happening in Fiji is going to be down. DO get well soon please.
I wish you a post operative recovery like the one I recently had from an Australian hip replacement surgery…the whole experience I could honestly describe as pain free. Minor discomfort, yes, but not real pain. No wonder all the politicians flee fiji for their medical procedures.
Well at least someone has finally overtly admitted what you and many have suspected for so long – the plan to elevate Fiji to even more obvious xenophobia by only allowing the iTaukei to call themselves “Fijian.” With a constitution that allows that, I would be embarrassed to call myself Fijian. This would make an embarrassment of Fiji.
Anyway, more importantly, all the very best for your surgery. You owe it to yourself and your family to prioritise your rehabilitation as you are doing. I think a few of us suspect you’ll get to to the stage of being unable to resist using technology (talk to text) to start writing earlier than your shoulder allows – but take care of you first!
Best wishes for a speedy convalescence and complete recovery.
There certainly will be a huge void in terms of objective, well researched pieces on critical issues confronting the peoples of Fiji.
And they keep emerging as politicians and so called leaders continue to bury their heads in the sand and display their ugly arses, completely oblivious to the national mood and the values of living in a multicultural society.
A good example is Lynda’s latest outburst about calling Fiji Viti, without any thought or analysis. Obviously that is a big ask for her and the current Coalition nincompoops.
Meanwhile the silence from NFP and other Parties, apart from FLP, on denying every Fiji citizen the human right to be called a Fijian is deafening.
We will all miss our daily ‘fix’ of Grubsheet news terribly. Best of luck for your surgery and recovery Graham. And yes, please obey Doctor’s orders. Look forward to your return whenever that may be but sooner rather than later hopefully.
Wishing you all the best for the surgery and a speedy recovery, GD. You have done more than your share of patriotic duty but your country still needs you, and our prayers are with you.
Grubs Wish you all the best in your quick recovery. In the mean while, you may ask Lynda Tabuya to be your Secretary and do the keyboard stuff for you Haha
GD
Thank you for all your efforts.
Praying for a successful surgery and a speedy recovery.
As for GCC, they may as well get ready for another Deed of Cession , given Fiji will soon be unable to pay its debts. The taxpayers are leaving in droves.
So sad.
Good luck with the surgery GD…..will definitely miss your daily insight news. Health come 1st and wishing you a speedy recovery post surgery.
Best wishes GD for speedy recovery…
All the very best for shoulder surgery and rehab.
Looking forward to hearing from you once Parliament is dissolved.
Love the fact you keep the bastards honest.
Speedy recovery GD ……..Keep it coming when you have recovered ……
GD
Get well soon.
Mainstream media is fully compromised.
Take lots of Bele for quick healing.
Take care and speedy recovery.
You are more patriotic than most politicians in parliament. We will miss your daily posts and the inspiring comments from your followers. Please have a much-needed rest and pray that all goes well with your operation. God Bless.
Hope you make a speedy recovery not just for your health but because your blog is an important voice about Fiji .
You can set your clock by what it means to be Fijian by the election cycle these days.
When will Fijians stop being led around by the nose by the scaremongering about identity.
For a nation that identifies as Christian, when one reaches the pearly gates there will be zero questions about your nationality but about how you walked on God’s earth and what you did to help your fellow human .
PS You could do an audio link if you can’t use a keyboard.
Graham,
Fiji can wait. All the best for a successful operation and speedy recovery.
Take care.
May the good surgeons ressuruct your shoulder to full function.
Best wishes.
Vitian.
All the best in operation GD – God Bless
Vinakavakalevu
Graham Davis, All the best in your operation – God Bless!
Vinakavakalevu
Anyone know why Apted is attacking and using fear mongering to attack empowerment of employees?
Reckon the flamboyant lawyer wouldn’t last a single day on the factory floor. Must be nice sitting in his AC office and talking down on fellow Fijians.
Put him on minimum wage and you’ll see how quickly he changes his tune. Quite pathetic to see Fijians attempting to keep Fijians poor.
Given too much drama in Government, I stopped reading news. But today, I read with internet a long news on Rabuka saying many things on cost cutting, Ministers pay cut, social welfare, cyclone fund, bus subsidies,etc. Wow, I waited 3 years to hear these from Rambo but then I realized thr election is around the corner. Looks like Iran war has really woken up Rambo. On serious note, Rambo says fuel supply is up to May so that is indeed a concern.
Yes, and now the Government Facebook page is restricting comments on his announcements! I wonder why? Could it be that they are not believed?
Judging by the comments before they restricted them those who commented largely said two things – I believe when I see it or your measures are 3 years too late!
Some facts from an earlier article on Grubsheet:
Population
The projected population of Fiji in 2026, according to the Bureau of Statistics is 902,623. This shows the population has only grown by 17,736 since 2017 as opposed to a growth of 47,616 in the period of 2007 to 2017.
This lack of growth is projected to be a result of an accelerated exodus of Fijians and others from Fiji since 2023. The estimated number who have left is now at 140,000 and may continue as the current Government seek to continue discriminatory policies in employment and service provision.
Government
The number of Civil Servants and General Workers Employed has grown substantially over the last three years. There were 24255 when the current Government came to power. Since then, the number has grown to 30,164 (1 in 30 Fijians). This directly increases the cost of government through the increased salary costs, FNPF contribution, office rental, furniture, communication equipment, IT, cars, allowances and training.
Using the current salary of a Band E (Step 3) $24,412.50 as an average cost, the estimated cost increase is $144.25 Million in round terms ($144,253,462) without taking into consideration FNPF contribution or the additional running costs.
The projected Operating Cost of Government at the 2022-23 Budget was $2,600,743,100 whilst in the 2025-26 Budget the projected cost is $3,906,866,100 an increase in 3 years of $1,306,123,000. This is well beyond the inflation rate, reflects a larger government, with larger costs. It directly affects the amount Government investment in Infrastructure, services to people of Fiji and the amount of money it borrows to run Government.
To summarize – we have more Ministers, Assist Ministers and more Civil Servants and the population has not really grown, and the cost of Government has ballooned!