USP Journalism online (new UTS host): http://www.journalism.uts.edu.au/
USP Journalism ("mirror" of gagged site): http://www.sidsnet.org/pacific/usp/journ/
Wansolwara Online: http://www.lookinglassdesign.com/wansolwara/wansol.html
Have your say: http://www.TheGuestBook.com/vgbook/109497.gbook
SUVA: "Gutlessness" seems to be a contagious condition among the
national leadership in Fiji's current political crisis, says Fiji Times
columnist Seona Smiles.
Women have been showing the way to the "grumpy old men of power and
privilege" during the crisis by speaking out.
Rebels still hold 27 hostages from the elected government in the
national Parliament after almost six weeks.
Smiles, who writes a popular weekly whimsical column in the country's
largest newspaper, took a more serious tone in her latest contribution
today.
"Perhaps it is catching. Gutlessness, I mean," she wrote.
"Where are the leaders whom we rightfully expect to speak out for
decency, if not democracy, in the 'current situation'?
"Where are the great who should be counselling 'enough?' Why is it again
that we are all being mucked about by a bald-headed MBA [rebel leader
George Speight] whose entrepreneurial muddles are topped by a takeover
of a national state, and an ageing soldier's (former SAS major Ilisoni
Ligairi) British-trained gun games that have found a national cause?
"Ah yes, the hostages. I suspect the real reason the four women hostages
were released [last] weekend is not because they were any more 'tired'
than the men, but because they are stronger and tougher and are getting
stronger and tougher support.
"Because the women of this nation had the guts to speak out for them,"
wrote Smiles, a former information officer for the University of the
South Pacific who is now media coordinator for the international women's
group DAWN.
"For weeks now, women have been organising daily vigils for hostages.
They have been speaking and making statements, circulating petitions and
striving for a return to decency.
"There are also many honourable men who are doing whatever they can to
protest.
"But there have been an awful lot of grumpy old men of power and
privilege who have done little but pontificate on wrongs and indigenous
rights.
"Another form of gutlessness has been to blame everyone from
Commonwealth countries to the nurses union for what is caused solely by
the bald-headed failed businessman.
"But the real gutless wonder is the failure himself. Otherwise, why
won't he let the rest of the hostages go and come out among his people?"
+++niuswire
Subject: [pasifik_nius] 2837 FIJI: Comment: Gutless wonders and grumpy old men
Date: Wed, 28 Jun 2000 12:46:56 +1300
From: Journ12 <robie_d@usp.ac.fj>
Organization: Journalism, University of the South Pacific
To: Pasifik Nius <pasifik_nius@lists.c2o.org>
Title -- 2837 FIJI: Comment: Gutless wonders and grumpy old men
Date -- 28 June 2000
Byline -- Seona Smiles
Origin -- Pasifik Nius
Source -- USP Journalism, 28/6/00
Copyright -- USP Journalism
Status -- Unabridged
-------------------
This document is for educational and research use only. Recipients
should seek permission from the copyright source before reprinting.
PASIFIK NIUS service is provided by the niusedita via the Journalism
Program, University of the South Pacific.
Please acknowledge Pasifik Nius: niusedita@pactok.net.au
http://www.usp.ac.fj/journ/nius/index.html
This site is best viewed using Netscape 4.0 or higher.
Any problems or kind suggestions, please email: webmaster@lookinglassdesign.com
last revision June 27, 2000