Facebok Group - 'Give Our Thumbs Back and Take This!'

A local dad has formed a Facebook group called Give Our Thumbs Back and Take This! in a sharp rebuke to Ratu Tevita Mara’s Thumbs Up For Democracy Campaign.

Stating his name as Jone Coe, he mentioned on the Facebook group that he came up with this campaign after ‘certain’ incidents which have led to deep rift within members of his family.

“As you would all know that Former 3FIR Commander Ratu Tevita Mara launched a Thumbs Up For Democracy Campaign where citizens have been asked to show thumbs up to family and friends as a non- verbal way of saying we want democracy. Well Mr. Mara let me tell you that reality on the ground is totally different. Do you have any idea how much hot water you have placed us in? Let me explain. 

You see, last Saturday I was at the sports ground watching my 7 years old son play rugby. As much as I wanted to watch him play I was also afraid of the dreadful moment – him scoring a try. And then it happened. He scored a try and looked up at me on the stands waiting for me to do what any proud father would do – give him a thumbs up!

Now he is totally oblivious to the mess that you have created for us. There was no way I was going to do that in a crowded place with police all around and look like a democracy supporter and being anti-Bainimarama . So I showed my son my little finger as an alternative. The disappointment on his face was heart wrenching. But he is just a kid.

The real problem arose when I went shopping with my wife. After she had chosen a dress and wore it in the change room, she came out and looked at me for a sign of approval. Before your campaign ‘that gets everyone in hot water’, I used to show her thumbs up or a nod of disapproval. But there was no way I was giving her thumbs up because YOU Mr. Tevita would now make us look like democracy advocates.

So I kept on disapproving while she had to change into 8 different dresses. Seeing the frustration on her face after the eight time I decided to give her a gentle approval by showing a not so firm middle finger. Now she has stopped cooking for me!

The thumbs up were a sign of ‘it’s all good’ or ‘nice’. You just fucked it up. And just not for me alone, Mr. Mara. There are a countless other people with me who have been in this equally difficult situation. You have taken our simple thumbs up and turned it into a political gimmick. So in response to it I have created a Facebook page to gather support to take our good old thumbs up back. If you really want us to show the government what a job they are doing and the army and cops, then you should have opted for the middle finger approach. That suits it better doesn’t it? 

P.S. Now I don’t really expect much from a guy who left his own family and fled for his own safety but please and I really mean the please part, don’t fuck up our lives in Fiji by doing all that you are doing from the safety and comfort of Tonga. If you really are such an advocate of democracy and have so much support, why don’t you battle it out from here in Fiji

Join me here Give Our Thumbs Back and Take This!