It has taken less than a month for the newly-commissioned pride of the Fiji Navy - the patrol boat, RFNS Puamau – to run aground In Lau on effectively its maiden voyage. How the Navy could be so incompetent as to ram a brand new Australian-supplied vessel with state-of-the-art navigation aids onto Fulagi Reef is astonishing. If this is the … [Read more...] about RFNS PUAMAU. A METAPHOR FOR THE ENTIRE NATION
# THE FIJIFIRST SHIP GOES DOWN AND IT’S EVERY MAN (AND ONE WOMAN) FOR THEMSELVES
It beggars belief that the main political bloc in the parliament that fell short by just one vote from forming government on the floor of the House 18 months ago could now be on the verge of extinction. But it now seems almost certain that the once mighty FijiFirst will be deregistered by the Supervisor of Elections on June 28 and effectively cease … [Read more...] about # THE FIJIFIRST SHIP GOES DOWN AND IT’S EVERY MAN (AND ONE WOMAN) FOR THEMSELVES
# OLD PREJUDICES HAUNT THE VOU
The growing chauvinism and cultural arrogance among certain iTaukei has reared its ugly head on social media about a performance at the 13th Pacific Festival of Arts and Culture in Honolulu by the celebrated dance group, Vou. ("new" in iTaukei) Never mind that the third of Fijians who aren't iTaukei don't get a look-in at the Festival - … [Read more...] about # OLD PREJUDICES HAUNT THE VOU
# THE BEST NEWS FOR A LONG TIME
The announcement that officers of the Australian Federal Police are going to be embedded in the Fiji Police Force and that the AFP will mentor the new police commissioner will be welcomed by all Fijians except the "bad apples" that Pio Tikoduadua says are undermining local law enforcement. Thank God the Home Affairs Minister - and presumably the … [Read more...] about # THE BEST NEWS FOR A LONG TIME
# A BRIDGE ACROSS EIGHT DECADES
Grubsheet has spent much of Saturday watching the commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings in Normandy in 1944 that turned the tide of World War Two and eventually led to the defeat of Nazi Germany the following year. There has been a great deal of emotional and inspiring material. But one moment stands out above all else - … [Read more...] about # A BRIDGE ACROSS EIGHT DECADES
# CHAOS AS A PERMANENT WAY OF LIFE
It is nearly 18 months since the Coalition came to power and they have had plenty of time to get their act together. Yet recent events tell us that the "three-legged stool" - which has been wobbly from day one - cannot be relied on by the Fijian people as a safe place to sit. The conduct of government is chaotic and dysfunctional. Yet as we … [Read more...] about # CHAOS AS A PERMANENT WAY OF LIFE