This may sound condescending. It is not.
In most major confrontations, it's so easy for those on both sides to take even more extreme positions than they otherwise might. Veering towards the middle -- seeing the other person's point of view; accepting shortcomings on "our" side -- might be seen as weakness. It is much easier to see everything in sullied black (the other side) and pure white (our side). I confess this has been my position on most anti-government blogsites. Most are so one-eyed they would fall over even in broad daylight. But not all. And not all the time.
I recommend some recent postings on Raw Fiji News. All are anti-government, but writers like Kaviti1978, Isa Lei, Inx2009, Talei2 and Ichymite are also quite open on the shortcomings of previous "pro-Fijian" regimes that "opened the door" to the last coup and its aftermath. Read how Isa Lei expresses remorse for his support of the 1987 coup, and his criticism of former Chief Justice Timoci Tuivaga for his support of the 1987 and 2000 coups; Inx2009's condemnation of all military interventions; Talei2's attack on Qarase's currently inept leadership; Ichymite's finger-pointing at self-serving chiefly, church and business leadership; and Isa Lei on ethnic Fijian "backstabbing."
They may not have you voting for Bainimarama any time soon, but they may give you a better understanding of the complexities and shady forces at work in Fiji, yesterday and today -- and have you thinking that dialogue is possible with bloggers like these.
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