“The song is unfinished and the fat lady has yet to sing”

Dear Editor,In response to Mr Ka’s article in Saturday’s CI News editorial, I acknowledge his sincerity and “soul searching comments” with regards to the Demo party’s demise.However like most first time aspiring politicians, defeat is very hard to accept especially at times when you think you have beaten your adversary and victory is at hand only to find the battle has been won elsewhere. I do not intend to comment at large regarding One Cook Islands potential relationship with the Demos nor any other political party for that matter as “the song is unfinished and the fat lady has yet to sing” but I do wish to clarify and correct his assumption that One Cook Island’s is a “tired and fractured component.”On the contrary, One Cook Island’s is indeed a lively, active and real political movement with a clear sense of political direction and conscience supported and complemented by a team of dedicated, loyal and enthusiastic people wanting to make a difference where people can actually contribute, make choices and be heard. Our performance at the snap election in July proved that and our increasing popularity and overwhelming support, is further evidence that we are here to stay. His comment is totally out of context and assumes some personal agenda against the leader of One Cook Islands rather than against the movement per se. Experience, depth, political cunningness and astute understanding of the issues were the winner on the day not so called smart, intelligent, waffly, media pschyco, economic armchair wannabe political analysts who ended up creating mistrust, uncertainty and eventually a huge public divide resulting in a last minute turnaround in what should have been seen as a “clear victory for the Demos.” Mr Ka as an “experienced journalist” and others may well learn from this experience to improve his chances in 2018 should he wish to stand again.I suggest from his editorial insinuations that any issues he may have with the leader of One Cook Islands as the eventual successful candidate for Are Nikau in Aitutaki is quickly forgotten and that he should move on and prepare for 2018 just as we’re doing. Better still, it might pay to refrain from making any such assertions publicly in future “lest the hand that feeds you may come back to bite you!” Good luck on his continued soul searching and aspirations to join the future political gravy train. George Turia President One Cook Islands Movement Inc

Dear Editor,In response to Mr Ka’s article in Saturday’s CI News editorial, I acknowledge his sincerity and “soul searching comments” with regards to the Demo party’s demise.However like most first time aspiring politicians, defeat is very hard to accept especially at times when you think you have beaten your adversary and victory is at hand only to find the battle has been won elsewhere. I do not intend to comment at large regarding One Cook Islands potential relationship with the Demos nor any other political party for that matter as “the song is unfinished and the fat lady has yet to sing” but I do wish to clarify and correct his assumption that One Cook Island’s is a “tired and fractured component.”On the contrary, One Cook Island’s is indeed a lively, active and real political movement with a clear sense of political direction and conscience supported and complemented by a team of dedicated, loyal and enthusiastic people wanting to make a difference where people can actually contribute, make choices and be heard. Our performance at the snap election in July proved that and our increasing popularity and overwhelming support, is further evidence that we are here to stay. His comment is totally out of context and assumes some personal agenda against the leader of One Cook Islands rather than against the movement per se. Experience, depth, political cunningness and astute understanding of the issues were the winner on the day not so called smart, intelligent, waffly, media pschyco, economic armchair wannabe political analysts who ended up creating mistrust, uncertainty and eventually a huge public divide resulting in a last minute turnaround in what should have been seen as a “clear victory for the Demos.” Mr Ka as an “experienced journalist” and others may well learn from this experience to improve his chances in 2018 should he wish to stand again.I suggest from his editorial insinuations that any issues he may have with the leader of One Cook Islands as the eventual successful candidate for Are Nikau in Aitutaki is quickly forgotten and that he should move on and prepare for 2018 just as we’re doing. Better still, it might pay to refrain from making any such assertions publicly in future “lest the hand that feeds you may come back to bite you!” Good luck on his continued soul searching and aspirations to join the future political gravy train. George Turia President One Cook Islands Movement Inc