Opinion
Peace begins with me
Saturday 20 September 2014 | Published in Virtues in Paradise
When I was a little girl, we sang a song in Sunday School: “Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me.”
Kata: Super fund suspicion...
Saturday 20 September 2014 | Published in Kata
Kata: Hey! thats my pet fish!
Saturday 20 September 2014 | Published in Kata
'The dirty secret that we all know about, but don't talk about'
Friday 19 September 2014 | Published in Letters to the Editor
Dear Editor It is so disappointing to read in the newspaper, a defence lawyer in a case as serious as the purported rape of a ten year old girl and by someone she knew, to be dismissed as the imagination of a ten year old girl.
'Cook Islanders not the lost tribe of Israel'
Friday 19 September 2014 | Published in Letters to the Editor
Dear Editor, It's great to see some Maori programmes back on national TV especially since Maori content has declined considerably since government decided to relinquish this asset.
'Cook Islanders and visitors are subject to the same application of our laws'
Thursday 18 September 2014 | Published in Letters to the Editor
Dear Editor,I refer to Mr Norman Sander’s letter published in the Cook Islands News on Monday September 8.
'Go demand your money from the bank if you've been robbed'
Thursday 18 September 2014 | Published in Letters to the Editor
Dear Editor,I respond in kind to the tupapaku calling itself “Time to re-focus”, referring of course to its letter of 17 September headed “Time to focus on the issues”.
Time to focus on the issues
Wednesday 17 September 2014 | Published in Letters to the Editor
Dear Editor,Tim Tepaki, are you still going on the terrorist line, you need to get back on your medication and take a chill pill.
'Soldier on Papa Tunui and Grey Power'
Tuesday 16 September 2014 | Published in Letters to the Editor
Dear Editor I have been a watching the attacks on Papa Dennis Tunui on his bid to stand up for the old people who have had money unlawfully taken from their accounts under the guise of the Finance department call for Back Tax.
Who are the guardians of the rule of law?
Monday 15 September 2014 | Published in Letters to the Editor
Dear Editor,Tim Arnold's assumption (13.09.14) that we all knew the theme of the conference he attended recently in Queenstown was the role of advocates as the protectors of the rule of law had me wondering where I had missed that announcement. Never mind, I found his report while fascinating and revealing also potentially an indictment of his professional colleagues who are demonstrably reticent when it comes to speaking out to defend or support the high ideals he was reporting when faced by executive or legislature action which threaten them.He reports speakers' examples of appalling breaches of the rule of law in distant places like Zimbabwe but also closer neighbouring Fiji and those of us familiar with the developments in either of these countries would not be surprised.What he was alerting us to for those who missed it is this: when governments or Parliament abuse the rule of law and those in the most knowledgeable and best position to expose and challenge such activities remain silent, or compromised, they are further empowering those institutions to continue that abuse, to undermine the principles of democracy to which we subscribe and erode the very foundations of our society.And who are those people? They are the Barristers and Solicitors working within our community and while I don't have an accurate number of the actual practitioners out there I believe they number something over fifty.These people are engaged with our laws on a daily basis. Some, but definitely not all, understand the workings of the Constitution and Parliament but abuse is not limited to those. It can and does occur at all levels. Certainly some are constrained by their employment but there are many who unconstrained have much to say in private but little or nothing to say publicly. True, where their clients' interests are challenged they resort to the Courts but where society's interests are challenged, and no prospect of a fee, they are dangerously, and selfishly, quiet.If the legal fraternity will not speak out against abuse who will? Individuals who do seldom receive support from that quarter. Only one newspaper ventures into any serious investigative journalism. So when Parliamentary opposition is weak who are the guardians of the rule of law? This is the insidious erosion Tim speaks of and as a frequent contributor on contentious matter I feel entitled to make these observations and agree that we in the Cook Islands expect more from the Bench and the Bar.On the question of the MMR secret deal making two further thoughts occurred to me. If a Member of Parliament gave notice of a question in the House asking for the very information Mr Ponia is withholding is he going to be refused an answer or if answered and reported would the question of privilege not trump litigious consequences? Further, how would MFEM treat the rogue Flag State settlement if it were monetary? Would it attempt to disguise or hide it in the Estimates and accompanying Appropriation Bill and could it even contemplate such action with impunity? John M ScottMuri
Kata: Justice vs Secret Governent deals
Sunday 14 September 2014 | Published in Kata
Saving our youth using virtues
Sunday 14 September 2014 | Published in Virtues in Paradise
ere in Paradise, too often we have to bury our young people and others who are “gone too soon.” Just after, my husband Dan and I landed in Rarotonga from the U.S., we saw a pastor from Aitutaki who was taking a three week workshop. I asked him, “What topic is so important that it merits three weeks?!” “Our youth,” he said gravely – many of whose lives are shortened or destroyed by alcohol, drugs, or crime. He mentioned sadly that a young man had just died as a result of his injuries in an alcohol-related motor bike crash. There are families, teachers and counselors applying The Virtues Project worldwide. Particularly in indigenous communities with high suicide rates, they find that virtues strategies help children to live longer and live better. These include: • Speaking the Language of Virtues to mirror the strengths in children and youth, showing them their own inner gifts as well as to correct them.• Recognizing Teachable Moments: seeing troubling behaviors not as a chance to call them names, labeling them as “lazy” or “bad”, but as an opportunity to call them to a virtue they need to practice. • Mentoring bullies to tap into their compassion in order to become true leaders. • Having Clear Boundaries at home, school, and work based on Restorative Justice where amends are made, and self-esteem is sustained. • Honoring the Spirit with music, dance, prayer, reflection and spiritual programs that are inspiring and meaningful to their daily lives. • Companioning young people -- listening to their troubles, and tapping into their wisdom, thereby making them partners in combatting the challenges youth face. Virtues Project Facilitators are working in prisons, including Rarotonga, helping young people who have taken a wrong turn in the road to redeem and reclaim their lives by choosing to bring their virtues to life. I will never forget a 12 year old girl I met at a Youth Detention Centre in the U.S. She had killed someone as her gang initiation. After a one hour session introducing the young inmates to virtues, she said, “Can I give you a hug? I knew I needed a new lifestyle when I get out of here, but I had no idea what it was. Now I know! The virtues! They’re who I really am, like you said, right?” I have seen the same response in prisoners who are much older and confined for life sentences. When we realize that we can live a soulful life whenever we choose, it brings hope to the hopeless. A 14 year old who was required to attend a five day workshop Dan and I gave in Yap, confessed to me during the celebration feast that week, that he was a bully. He was a big fellow, and placed his huge “paws” on my shoulders as he spoke earnestly. “Linda, I want to be a man of virtue!” I acknowledged his purposefulness and then asked him, “So, do you have control over others, the power to make them do what you want?” “Yes,” he answered sheepishly. “Well, do you know that means you are a natural leader?” His big brown eyes lit up. “If you wrap that power around service, I promise you will be a leader in this community one day.” He began to jump up and down with excitement and the whole building, which was on stilts, began to shake. People looked around as if there were an earthquake, and there was one -- in his soul. I attended a service at a local Seventh Day Adventist church, and was in awe of the young woman in her teens leading a group discussion for the mamas. Her passion and faith shone on her lovely face. She was eloquent in articulating Bible teachings about prayer and seeking guidance. I left feeling deep hope for our young people, for here was an example of a life of purpose that would last all her days.
'He admits not paying taxes'
Sunday 14 September 2014 | Published in Letters to the Editor
Dennis by his own admission admits that he has never paid taxes in the Cook Islands but further goes on to state that he uses the various facilities provided by the Cook Islands’ Government because he contributed towards them. Well he didn’t!
No offence, just common sense
Sunday 14 September 2014 | Published in Letters to the Editor
Dear Editor,I apologise to Tangi Kapi and Iva Tau Eitiare if I’ve upset them.
'Stop using mama, papa for political objectives'
Sunday 14 September 2014 | Published in Letters to the Editor
Dear Editor,I refer to the letter by Grey Power in the CI Herald of 10 September headed “Don’t call us names, Tim Tepaki”, which went so far as to threaten “We might march to where you live and you will soon find out what “terrorists” do”.
Justice-by-Skype an injustice?
Sunday 14 September 2014 | Published in Letters to the Editor
Dear Editor, Kia Orana from Manihiki, Pae Tokerau. This week, and the conclusion of the Manihiki petition, has certainly been momentous, and disturbing.
SMOKIES: You are not worth it?
Saturday 13 September 2014 | Published in Smoke Signals
To the parent who dropped off two boys on the seaside of the main road near Nikao Maori and Avatea Schools at 7:52am Thursday, what were you thinking? In the middle of peak traffic-there was an endless flow of traffic at the time-you decided the best thing was to have them cross two lanes of […]
Call the tax man
Saturday 13 September 2014 | Published in Letters to the Editor
Dear Editor,If ‘I want clean ball and feed backs’ letter writer to ring Andrew Haigh at RMD and ask if Dennis Tunui’s name is on their computer list of NZ pensioners in the Cook Islands,
Got me good!
Saturday 13 September 2014 | Published in Letters to the Editor
Dear Editor,May I refer to Les Priest’s letter of 10 September and say, he got me!
Open your heart to God
Saturday 13 September 2014 | Published in Letters to the Editor
Dear Editor,I’m responding to Les Priest letter “ Noah’s Ark codswallop” on Saturday 6th August 2014.
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