On one hand, Gucake's opinion article, in my personal view was a superior written piece, in comparison to the partisan writings of former Fiji Times Journalist, Kamal Iyer; that have an uncanny resemblence to the machinations of former Republican political consultant, Lee Atwater.
Video preview on a PBS documentary that covers Lee Atwater's political career (posted below)
The actual Front Line episode to be aired on Tuesday Nov. 11th 2008, is posted below.
On the other hand, Gucake's article was a framed from an impartial by-stander's genuine reflection, on the grid lock of politics within Fiji. Frontline program focusses on Obama's meteoric rise in US politics.
The excerpt of Gucake's article:
Time for a change
By APOLLO GUCAKE
Saturday, November 08, 2008
U.S President-Elect Obama's historic win in the US presidential elections is a lesson for Fiji in bridging the divide, healing the wounds, overcoming obstacles and the power of hope.
Tuesday, November 4 this year was indeed a momentous day for America. History was created when the people of America riding on the message of hope demanded change and by an overwhelming majority of tsunamic proportion chose the first African American to ascend the highest public office in the land as the 44th President of the United States.
Having lived, studied and worked in corporate America for the better part of what will now soon become two decades, I have come to appreciate the powerful message of hope, inclusiveness, bipartinship and civility that Obama projects on his sojorn across this land of opportunity and I am struck by his patience and thoughtful rhetoric. On his victory speech last Tuesday night, he did not mince his words complementing his greatest strength, the people.
He mentioned the word "we" multiple times with the underlying notion that together, we the people can do and rise above anything we put our mind to.
I could not help, but think of our beloved Fiji and the hopes and aspiration of our people to be free from the political wedges that have caused misery and leaders who seem not able to reconcile their differences amicably.
Sadly, for us it is not another day in paradise and the familiar line "the way the world should be" is yet a flattering dimmer of light that continues to elude us on that ever distant proverbial tunnel.
It boggles the mind to comprehend that of all people of the earth, we are considered and favoured with our genuine hospitable culture and authentic friendliness yet we could not even put our own house in order.
There have been times when our national leaders have even almost sat down together in churches yet could not reach out to reconcile, to stretch out a hand and see the other person in the eye with only the best interest of the country at stake.
There is so much negative energy and vibe amongst our political leaders that they seem to have forgotten how to resolve our crisis the Pacific Way.
As a Fijian on the outside looking in, it is pathetic to state the least and unacceptable for our leaders to continue to forge their worn out party ideas from the past and continue to carry us with that baggage into the future. We, like Obama, need change, even if it takes a change of heart for our leaders to consider the country's interest first and foremost rather than party politics.
We need genuine soul searching reconciliation amongst our leaders. They need to consider and reason together what good the charter has to offer and move forward towards a timetable for election. Only when our leaders take and heed the interest of our country first instead of party lines will we then start the healing process. Yes we can.
* Apollo Gucake works as a full-time banker in Sacramento, CA, devotes spare time as a foot soldier advocate for grassroot minority community issues for Asian and Pacific Islanders in the US.
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